Eight legacy brands that have been changing the FMCG game pre-Independence

Even before India became an independent nation in 1947, there were brands who were responsible for not only providing a fair choice to the consumer but also rode on the bandwagon of ‘swadeshi’ consumer goods which were consumed by those living in colonial rule.

In the colonial times, there was an upheaval for boycotting foreign goods and using domestically produced goods. However, there were certain essential commodities like sugar, wool, jute, indigo which were being exported to the outside world.

During colonial rule, the entire export-import economy was under British monopoly and as a result, this trade was only limited to Britain. But with the opening of Suez Canal in 1869, India began to indulge in the trading of goods and exported raw materials and imported finished goods into the country.

At such a time when the purchasing power of Indians was very low, FMCG players began to set up their own businesses in India and started expanding their market in the country. Here are some of the earliest FMCG businesses that were set up in India:

1. Britannia

Founded in 1892, Britannia Industries is one of India’s oldest existing companies and an Indian conglomerate. Moreover, it became a public limited company in 1918 and had thus completed 100 years in 2018.

According to the annual report of FY22, Britannia has maintained its profitability and gained market share in a year that was impacted heavily by the pandemic, inflation and geo-political tensions.

It was able to accommodate the inflationary pressure by increasing the product prices and through value creation for consumers. At the end of FY22, Britannia had a Net profit of Rs. 1,603 crores at a 14% CAGR.

One of the most iconic campaigns released by the company was the     #100SaalSe100SaalTak – The 100 years journey of Britannia campaign which showcases its long journey and changing role in the lives of its consumers.

2. Hindustan Unilever

Another FMCG giant in India, Hindustan Unilever, was founded in 1931 as Hindustan Vanaspati Manufacturing Company. It was later on that the FMCG player came to be known as Hindustan Unilever.

The heritage brand is a very popular brand in India as every nine on ten Indian households use one or more of HUL’s sub-brands, as per estimates.

In FY22, it was HUL which earned a turnover of Rs 50,336 crores leading to an 11% turnover growth.

3. Dabur

Established in 1884, Dabur is an Indian multinational consumer goods company that manufactures both ayurvedic and other consumer goods.

As of now, four Dabur brands- Amla, Vatika, Red paste and Real, have crossed Rs1000 crore in sales and two brands- Honey and Chyawanprash, have crossed Rs 500 crore sales mark.

4. Amul

Founded in 1946, Amul is currently owned by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which is currently owned by 36 lakh milk producers in Gujarat and the head office of 13 District Milk Unions, which run operations in 13,000 villages throughout the state.

India's White Revolution, sparked by Amul, made it the world's top producer of milk and dairy products.

Amul has registered a turnover of Rs. 61,000 crores in FY22 from its milk and ice-cream business.

5. Tata Group

Mumbai serves as the home base for the Tata Group. It is one of the largest conglomerates in India and was founded in 1868. It has activities in 100 nations across six continents and sells goods and services in over 150 nations.

It used to go by the name Tata Global Beverages (TGBL). The consumer goods division of Tata Chemicals amalgamated with Tata Global Beverages Ltd. in February 2020, becoming Tata Consumer Products.

With goods like Tata Salt, Tata Tea, Tetley, Eight O'Clock, and other high growth potential brands like Tata Sampann and Tata Starbucks, the brand has a rich and diversified product portfolio.

In 2021-22, the revenue of Tata companies, taken together, was Rs. 9.6 trillion.

6. Godrej

Ardeshir Godrej and Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej started Godrej Group in Mumbai in 1897. Since then, the Godrej family runs and controls a substantial portion of the business.

They introduced ‘Chavi’, the first soap created with vegetable oil and prepared without the use of animal fat, in 1918, and it was endorsed by personalities who had nation-wide  fame including Rabindranath Tagore and Annie Besant.

In March 2022, Godrej clocked a total revenue of Rs 3,414.21 crore.

7. Hamdard

The Hamdard Dawakhana was founded in 1906 in Delhi by Hakeem Hafiz Abdul Majeed, a committed, tenacious, yet unworldly man. Hamdard, which began as a modest Unani clinic on a side street in old Delhi, has grown to be known for honesty and superior quality in the field of economical Unani drugs.

Hamdard is dedicated to ensuring that high-quality healthcare is an affordable and accessible reality around the world. Hamdard was founded with the goal of uplifting the disadvantaged in India by offering equitable chances at every stage of their life.

8. Parle

Parle has been associated with affordability, quality, nutrition, and flavour in India ever since its inception in 1929. Parle Products has made significant progress, expanding its portfolio to include more than 40 brands in several product categories.

Due to the phenomenal success of the Parle-G brand, Parle has come to represent qualities of affordability and excellence. In India, Parle Products is still regarded as a low-cost or accessible brand.

Parle Products launched the new division Parle Platina in 2017 in response to the rising demand for luxury biscuits among the younger generation of consumers.

In FY22, Parle earned a Net Revenue of Rs. 49.43 crores.

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