In a significant acknowledgment of India's vital role in global markets, Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc's global CEO, Kris Licht, has highlighted the country as a key growth driver amidst a landscape of global economic uncertainties. Speaking to investors during Reckitt's earnings call for the March quarter, Licht expressed confidence in the sustained volume growth expected from India and China throughout the year. He stated, "As we sit here, we fully expect sustained strong volume growth in India and China as we go through this year." This positive outlook was shared against the backdrop of the company's impressive performance in the 14.2 billion British consumer and healthcare sector, where it reported strong growth particularly in germ protection products like Dettol and intimate wellness items such as Durex condoms in India.

Licht attributed this robust growth to what he described as "simply strong organic performance," indicating that Reckitt's operations in India are not only flourishing but are also gaining momentum. He emphasized the companys commitment to innovation, stating, "We're scaling innovation. And we absolutely expect that to continue." Licht, who assumed leadership of Reckitt in October 2023, underscored the strategic importance of India, highlighting not only its vast consumer base but also its alignment with public health objectives.

Since 2014, Reckitt has actively engaged with the Indian government through its 'Dettol Banega Swachh India' campaign, which supports the Swachh Bharat Mission aimed at promoting cleanliness and hygiene across the nation. This partnership has enabled Reckitt to effectively penetrate smaller towns and rural areas, introducing lower-priced hygiene products such as Dettol anti-germ soap and cleaning agents like Lizol and Harpic. Furthermore, Reckitt has also developed premium variants of its brands targeting affluent urban consumers, showcasing its dual strategy of catering to diverse market segments.

In the first quarter of 2025, Reckitt reported a 3.1% growth in like-for-like net revenue, reaching 2.63 billion, fueled by strong performances in emerging markets like India and China. In a contrasting trend, sales in Europe and North America experienced declines of 1.7% and 0.9%, respectively, largely attributed to reduced consumer spending in these regions. Overall, Reckitt reported consolidated net revenue of 3.68 billion for the quarter.

Specifically in India, the company's turnover for calendar year 2024 soared to Rs 9,336 crore, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 5.4%, while profits leaped by 22.6% to Rs 2,231 crore, as indicated in recent filings with the Registrar of Companies. Reckitt's popular brands, including Lizol, Harpic, and Dettol, face stiff competition from Hindustan Unilever (HUL), particularly with products like Domex disinfectant cleaner and Lifebuoy anti-germ soap, both of which have benefited from increased demand during the pandemic.

While Dettol holds a leading position in the anti-germ protection soap segment, Durex's market presence is notably challenged by Mankind Pharma's Manforce brand, which currently leads in market share, as reported by industry executives referencing NielsenIQ data.

Reckitt's diverse portfolio in India also encompasses products such as Mortein mosquito repellent, Moov pain relief cream, Veet hair remover, Air Wick air fresheners, and Strepsils lozenges, demonstrating a broad range of consumer health and hygiene solutions. The company has stated in its recently published 2024 annual report that it is strategically positioned within the world's largest consumer market, which constitutes 8% of its core net revenue. Reckitt operates through over one million retail outlets across India and has experienced significant growth over the past five years, bolstered by local manufacturing capabilities that enable it to supply 95% of its products domestically.

In its annual report, Reckitt expressed optimism regarding growth opportunities in emerging markets, particularly India, Africa, and Latin America, where evolving social attitudes are driving increased adoption of hygiene products. The company noted that these emerging markets collectively represent the largest segment of Reckitt's power brand portfolio, with India and China identified as high-growth areas.

Addressing concerns raised by analysts regarding the rising prices of palm oilan essential ingredient in soap productionLicht acknowledged the pressures but reassured stakeholders that it would not hinder the company's success. Recently, palm oil prices have surged due to flooding in key producing countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, prompting soap manufacturers, including Reckitt and its competitors such as HUL and Godrej Consumer Products, to implement price increases.