Unilever has identified India as a key market for the next phase of its premium beauty, wellness, and personal care growth strategy, highlighting the country’s rising importance within its global portfolio.
Speaking at the 2026 dbAccess Global Consumer Conference, Unilever CEO Fernando Fernandez said the company plans to accelerate the international expansion of its digitally native brands, including Olly, Nutrafol, Hourglass, K18, and Liquid I.V. These brands are currently being scaled in the United States before entering new international markets.
Emphasising India’s long-term potential, Fernandez noted that while Unilever was late to capitalise on opportunities in China, it does not intend to repeat that mistake in India. He described the country as a major growth engine for the coming decade and a critical market for the company’s premiumisation strategy.
Unilever executives also highlighted the role of Minimalist, the skincare and haircare brand acquired by Hindustan Unilever in 2025. According to Global CFO Srinivas Phatak, the brand is well-positioned to capture India’s growing demand for premium beauty products and could eventually expand into other Asian markets.
India currently contributes around 16% of Unilever’s global revenue, reinforcing its strategic significance. The company’s confidence in the market is further reflected in the recent launch of the Unilever Fragrance Hub in Mumbai, which has been integrated into the company’s global research and development network.
As consumer demand shifts towards higher-value beauty and wellness products, Unilever sees India playing a central role in shaping its future growth trajectory.
