Digital bloom, global room 

October 27, 2025

India is emerging as a powerhouse for global consumer goods companies, driven by the rapid growth of e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms. The country’s expanding digital retail ecosystem is enabling faster market penetration and boosting online sales, making it one of the top-performing markets for international brands.

Global giants like Unilever and L’Oreal have reported a sharp rise in online sales during the September quarter, underpinned by the rapid expansion of digital retail and quick-commerce channels.

French beauty major L’Oreal’s CEO, Nicolas Hieronimus, described India as a “game changer” for the company. He highlighted how both traditional e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms are allowing the brand to reach consumers across the country more effectively than ever before. “Ten days ago, I was in India, where it’s clearly a game changer for us. Quick commerce and traditional platforms now allow us to reach consumers across the country, something we couldn’t do before,” Hieronimus said during the company’s earnings call.

British consumer goods leader Unilever also acknowledged India’s significant contribution to its digital growth. CEO Fernando Fernandez revealed that digital commerce now accounts for 17 per cent of Unilever’s total revenue. “We are growing Amazon at 15 per cent, Walmart.com at 25 per cent, Flipkart in India at 30 per cent, and TikTok globally at 70 per cent,” he said, highlighting the strong performance of digital channels in India.

Unilever, operating in India through Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), said strategic portfolio adjustments—such as selling lower-value brands and acquiring premium ones—have strengthened its position for growth. The company’s digitally native brands are performing strongly, especially in markets like India and China.

Fernandez added that Unilever’s quick-commerce business in India has more than doubled this year. “We believe our portfolios are well-suited, and our capabilities are significant in that space,” he said, expressing optimism about the company’s future digital growth in the Indian market.

The surge in online sales reflects the increasing comfort of Indian consumers with digital platforms and the ability of companies to innovate quickly. Analysts say that the combination of a large, young population and rapidly improving logistics infrastructure makes India one of the most attractive digital growth markets in the world.

With global brands prioritising India for their digital expansion, the country is not just keeping pace with global trends—it is setting benchmarks for digital commerce success. The rise of e-commerce and quick-commerce has turned India into a crucial battlefield for consumer brands vying for online market share.