BRITANNIA

Updates with analyst commentary in paragraphs 6 and 7, parent results in paragraph 9

By Praveen Paramasivam and Komal Salecha

Feb 12 (Reuters) - Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS reported a 15% decline in quarterly profit on Thursday, pressured by thinner margins as the consumer goods major cut some product prices to counter rising competition, sending shares lower.

The local subsidiary of UK's Unilever ULVR.L, home to Dove and Surf Excel brands, said its profit from continuing operations fell to 25.90 billion rupees ($286.05 million) for the quarter ended December 31.

Shares fell as much as 4.6% after the results.

Total expenses climbed 5%, with EBITDA margins shrinking by 70 basis points from a year earlier to 23.3%, after Hindustan Unilever cut prices in its tea business and home care portfolios, partly to stave off competition.

Hindustan Unilever has grappled with stiff competition in fabric care from startups as well as Ariel detergent maker Procter & Gamble PG.N and India's Godrej Consumer Products GOCP.NS.

Three analysts said Hindustan Unilever's margins missed their estimates. Akshay D'Souza, an independent consumer goods consultant, said the company's focus on distribution-led growth, a slower pace of launches and acquisition spending have squeezed margins.

However, its sales growth improved, rising 4% from a year earlier to 156.14 billion rupees. A 4% increase in sales volume growth is "a bright spot," said Ajay Thakur, research analyst at Anand Rathi Institutional Equities.

Consumer goods makers, including Britannia Industries BRIT.NS and Hindustan Unilever, expect demand to pick up after several subdued quarters, supported by tax cuts and easing inflation that have bolstered urban spending.

Hindustan Unilever expects the fiscal year starting April to be better than the current year. But its parent firm expects 2026 sales growth to be at the lower end of its forecast after a slowdown in the U.S. and Europe.

Hindustan Unilever on Thursday also said it would buy the remaining 49% stake in plant-based food brand Oziva for 8.24 billion rupees.

($1 = 90.5450 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Komal Salecha in Bengaluru and Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai; Editing by Sonia Cheema)

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By Komal Salecha

Feb 11 (Reuters) - Indian packaged foods maker Britannia Industries BRIT.NS is betting on the e-commerce and quick-commerce channels to capitalise on the convenience and impulse buying that the country's online consumer base increasingly seeks.

The quick commerce channel currently brings in high-single-digit percentage sales in segments such as "indulgence and impulse", Chief Commercial Officer Vipin Kataria said in a post-earnings call on Wednesday.

Sales in the segment, comprises sweet treats such as cakes, croissants and wafers, are expected to climb up to the high tweens to high teens percentages in fiscal 2027, according to Kataria.

India's quick-commerce market, which promises to deliver everything from iPhones to milk in minutes, has rapidly grown in the last few years as consumers in the world's most populous country court convenience. This has also led to a shift in strategy for consumer firms.

We are looking to add more digital-first brands to drive quick-commerce growth, which is expected to be margin accretive, CEO Rakshit Hargave said, adding that the company plans to increase its investments in its quick-commerce unit.

The packaged foods firm posted a 17% rise in third-quarter profit on Tuesday, driven by price hikes and tax cuts. Its stock closed 2.3% higher on the day.

E-commerce is also a major driver for the "indulgence and impulse" category, and the company plans to focus on the channel as a business unit in itself.

Online delivery platforms contributed three times more to sales in cakes, rusks, croissants and wafers in the December quarter, compared to its mainstay biscuits portfolio, the company said.

"Going forward, an omnichannel approach, very strong price points, pushing back competition and increased investments will drive growth," he said.

(Reporting by Komal Salecha in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)

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** Britannia Industries' BRIT.NS shares rise 0.6% to 5,870.50 rupees so far ahead of Q3 results; Nifty 50 .NSEI up 0.34%

** Analysts, on average, expect biscuit maker's quarterly profit to jump 14.7% y/y, revenue to rise 12% y/y -- data compiled by LSEG

** BRIT's margins may improve as companies channel input-cost softness into gross profits, Nomura says

** 33 analysts, on avg, rate the stock "buy"; median PT 6,650 rupees - data compiled by LSEG

** YTD, BRIT down around 3% vs .NSEI's 0.7% decline; stock gained 26.6% in 2025

($1 = 90.7150 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru)

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Jan 1 (Reuters) - Britannia Industries Ltd BRIT.NS:

• GETS TAX DEMANDED OF 1.09 BILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nBSE5TQr4F

Further company coverage: BRIT.NS

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Nov 11 (Reuters) - India's Britannia Industries' BRIT.NS shares tumbled nearly 6% in early trade on Tuesday after its long-time managing director Varun Berry quit after more than a decade at the helm.

(Reporting by Komal Salecha in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema)

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** Indian biscuit-maker Britannia Industries BRIT.NS rises 3.5% to 6,096.5 rupees

** Britannia's Q2 profit rises 23% y/y and net profit margins improve to 13.5% from 11.4% a year ago, benefitting from price hikes

** Co taps paints manufacturer Birla Opus' former chief Rakshit Hargrave as CEO

** BRIT's former CEO Rajneet Kohli stepped down in March

** New CEO Hargrave played a critical role in scaling the Birla paints business amid tough competition, Jefferies says

** On the day, Grasim Industries GRAS.NS, which includes Birla Opus, falls 5%

** YTD, BRIT up ~28%

(Reporting by Ananta Agarwal in Bengaluru)

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** Analysts at Nomura and Jefferies say Colgate COLG.NS, Britannia Industries BRIT.NS and Nestle India NEST.NS will be the key beneficiaries of tax cuts on everyday items

** Government slashed rates to 5% on a wide range of everyday items including personal care products, household goods and packaged foods.

** Colgate, up 3.6%, was the top gainer on Nifty FMCG index .NIFTYFMCG which rose 0.7%

** Britannia, Dabur and Nestle were also among the top gainers on the index, gaining 3%, 2.2% and 1.7%, respectively

** Nomura expects 100% of COLG's portfolio to benefit from tax cuts, while Jefferies estimates that number to be 95%

** 85% of Britannia's portfolio to benefit - Nomura and Jefferies

** Analysts flag that around 70% of Nestle's and 50%-60% of Dabur's portfolio to benefit

** Median PT for Colgate is 2472 rupees, Britannia's at 5900 rupees; Nestle and Dabur at 1200 and 545 rupees, respectively - data complied by LSEG

(Reporting by Nishit Navin in Bengaluru)

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** Indian biscuit maker Britannia Industries BRIT.NS down ~2% to 5,523 rupees following Q1 results

** 'Bourbon' biscuits maker misses Q1 profit estimates as cost inflation in key commodities and high competition crimp margins

** Macquarie says Britannia's comments, pointing to a heightened competitive landscape across categories, are concerning

** Adds, EBITDA, which was flat y/y came below its estimates

** BRIT rated 'hold' on average by 34 analysts; media PT at 5,824, implying a 5.4% upside to current price - as per data compiled by LSEG

** YTD, Britannia shares up ~16%

(Reporting by Ananta Agarwal in Bengaluru)

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Aug 5 (Reuters) - Indian biscuit maker Britannia Industries BRIT.NS reported first-quarter profit below estimates on Tuesday.

The company, which sells 'Marie Gold' and 'Bourbon' biscuits, reported consolidated net profit of 5.21 billion rupees ($59.3 million).

Analysts, on average, had expected 5.7 billion rupees, as per data compiled by LSEG.

($1 = 87.8470 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Ananta Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)

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** Britannia Industries BRIT.NS climb 0.8%; consumer goods and benchmark indexes down over 1%

** Biscuit maker's Q4 profit rises due to price hikes, which Nomura pegs at 6%

** Brokerages say 9% rev growth of 9% largely met estimates, while profit growth of 4% beat view

** Most analysts hold ratings; avg rating is equivalent to "buy", similar to most on 15-member Nifty FMCG .NIFTYFMCG

** Stock has gained 15% YTD, second-highest on index that is down 2.4% this year

(Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru)

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May 8 (Reuters) - Britannia Industries Ltd BRIT.NS:

• Q4 CONSOL NET PROFIT 5.6 BILLION RUPEES; IBES EST. 5.18 BILLION RUPEES

• Q4 CONSOL TOTAL REVENUE FROM OPERATIONS 44.32 BILLION RUPEES; IBES EST. 43.97 BILLION RUPEES

• - RECOMMENDED FINAL DIVIDEND OF 75 RUPEES/SHARE

Further company coverage: BRIT.NS

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May 1 (Reuters) - Britannia Industries Ltd BRIT.NS:

• RECEIVES ORDER FROM ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONER OF CGST & CX

• ORDER DEMANDS TAX OF 254.2 MILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nBSE88w2lW

Further company coverage: BRIT.NS

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March 24 (Reuters) - Britannia Industries Ltd BRIT.NS:

• BRITANNIA INDUSTRIES LTD - JHAGADIA PLANT OPERATIONS PARTIALLY AFFECTED BY STRIKE

• BRITANNIA INDUSTRIES LTD - IN DISCUSSIONS WITH WORKERS TO RESOLVE STRIKE

• BRITANNIA INDUSTRIES LTD - ASSESSING IMPACT OF STRIKE, MANAGING DEMAND THROUGH AVAILABLE RESOURCES

Source text: ID:nBSE6DqYSk

Further company coverage: BRIT.NS

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** Shares of Britannia Industries BRIT.NS trim gains to trade 0.5% lower after co announces CEO resignation

** The consumer goods giant says CEO Rajneet Singh Kohli has resigned, effective March 14

** Stock among the 3 decliners in the 15 member Nifty FMCG index .NIFTYFMCG, which is up 1.17%; BRIT was up as much as 1.7% before announcement

** Analysts covering BRIT on avg have a "buy" rating, same as rivals Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS and Nestle India NEST.NS - LSEG data

** The stock had gained ~24% during his tenure, which began late Sept. 2022

(Reporting by Ashna Teresa Britto in Bengaluru)

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Feb 21 (Reuters) - Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd BPCL.NS:

• NSE: BPCL AND BRITANNIA INDUSTRIES BEING EXCLUDED FROM NIFTY 50

• NSE: JIO FINANCIAL SERVICES AND ZOMATO BEING INCLUDED IN NIFTY 50

• NSE: CHANGES IN NIFTY 50 STOCKS SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 28

Source text: [ID:]

Further company coverage: BPCL.NS

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** Shares of Indian biscuit maker Britannia Industries BRIT.NS up as much as 2.2% on Q3 results to 5065 rupees

** Co reports 6% volume growth y/y in despite "ongoing subdued demand" and "increased competitive pressures"

** Net profit growth of 4.8% aided by lower employee costs and advertising spends, analysts say

** Gross margin contraction of more than 500bps higher than expected due to inflation in key commodities - JPMorgan

** Analysts see green shoots from trade promotions and distribution network expansion aiding volume growth amid ongoing margin pressure

** Stock rated "Hold" on avg by 33 analysts - LSEG

** Avg PT of 5421.88 rupees provides a 7.7% upside to current stock price

(Reporting by Ananta Agarwal in Bengaluru)

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Feb 6 (Reuters) - Indian biscuit maker Britannia Industries BRIT.NS beat third-quarter profit estimates on Thursday, as price hikes helped offset the impact of rise in commodity prices.

The company, which sells 'Jim Jam' and 'NutriChoice' biscuits, reported a 5% increase in consolidated net profit to 5.82 billion rupees ($66.43 million) for the three months ended December 31.

Analysts, on average, had expected a profit of 5.21 billion rupees, according to estimates compiled by LSEG.

($1 = 87.6130 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Ananta Agarwal in Bengaluru and Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)

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Adds consumer, trade body and company reaction; updates shares

By Praveen Paramasivam and Sai Ishwarbharath B

CHENNAI/BENGALURU, Feb 1 (Reuters) - India's plans to cut personal income tax rates will put more disposable income in the hands of the people and eventually boost consumption in the world's fifth-largest economy, top executives said on Saturday.

The comments came after the government in its annual budget said that people earning up to 1.28 million rupees ($14,800) per year will not have to pay any taxes, raising its threshold from 700,000 rupees. It also cut tax rates for people earning above the new threshold.

Private consumption accounts for about 60% of India's gross domestic product.

Consumption in India has been under stress in the last few quarters as shoppers tightened their purse strings amid stubborn inflation and modest wage growth.

"Tax reforms benefiting the middle class will increase disposable income, further fuelling demand across essential and aspirational categories," Godrej Consumer Products' GOCP.NS CFO Aasif Malbari said.

The news boosted the shares of consumer goods .NIFTYFMCG, autos .NIFTYAUTO and realty .NIFTYREAL firms by 4.1%, 2.1% and 3%, respectively. It also pushed the shares of food delivery firms Zomato ZOMT.NS and Swiggy SWIG.NS 7.8% and 8.7% higher, respectively.

The government's plan is estimated to help around 25-30 million personal tax payers save about 100,000 rupees annually, according to Kamal Bali, managing director of Volvo Group India.

"It will boost discretionary capital spends like buying a vehicle. (People) will have better repaying capacity for EMIs," Bali told Reuters.

Others echoed the sentiment.

"The tax cut is going to be a helpful factor in accelerating demand for various kinds of consumer products," RC Bhargava, chairman of Maruti Suzuki India MRTI.NS, India's top carmaker, told TV channel ET Now.

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), a trade body, expects the government's plan to make car upgrades affordable to more middle-class families, leading to higher demand for SUVs, sedans, and premium two-wheelers.

Some consumers welcomed the news.

"I would have one less stressful obligation since I would no longer have to pay taxes," Chennai-based software engineer S. Surya said, adding he planned to use the money he saved "on higher-quality essentials and restaurant visits".

Some others were less thrilled.

"They haven't reduced goods and services tax or petrol prices," Pranav Charan, another engineer, lamented.

($1 = 86.5360 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam, Sai Ishwarbharath B and Nishit Navin; Editing by Dhanya Skariachan and Sonia Cheema)

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Jan 23 (Reuters) - Britannia Industries Ltd BRIT.NS:

• GETS TAX DEMAND OF TOTAL AMOUNT 43.3 MILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nBSE8rYbgc

Further company coverage: BRIT.NS

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Jan 16 (Reuters) - Britannia Industries Ltd BRIT.NS:

• GOT TOTAL TAX DEMAND ORDER FOR 11.6 MILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nNSE2ymlzk

Further company coverage: BRIT.NS

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** Shares of Britannia Industries Ltd BRIT.NS down 13.8% in November, set for their biggest monthly drop since June 2006

** Stock currently up 0.2% at 4,934.95 rupees

** BRIT among top 5 biggest monthly pct losers on blue-chip Nifty 50 index as well as FMCG stocks .NIFTYFMCG that are down 1.2% and 2.5%

** BRIT reported smaller-than-expected Q2 profit in mid-Nov due to poor demand from inflation-wary urban customers, sending its shares down by more than 12% in two sessions

** Downbeat results also led stock to its worst week in 24 years; the stock was up by just 0.35% on the day before the results

** Avg rating on stock has fallen to "hold" from "buy" following post-results downgrades - LSEG

** Stock has 13 "hold" ratings, its most in at least two years

** YTD, BRIT down ~8%, among worst-performing stocks on Nifty 50 and Nifty FMCG index that are up 11% and ~2%, respectively

(Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru)

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** Shares of consumer goods maker Britannia Industries BRIT.NS fall 1.9% to 4,798.5 rupees, their lowest level since early-May

** BRIT top loser on Nifty FMCG index .NIFTYFMCG, which is down 0.5%

** Co on Tuesday said the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a notice over the use of a preservative in one of the batches of its product

** Co did not disclose which product was flagged by FSSAI, but says it expects no material impact on financials or operations

** More than 448,000 shares change hands, 1.1x its 30-day avg

** Avg rating of 33 analysts is a "hold"; median PT at 5,435 rupees - LSEG data

** BRIT is down 16% this month, on track for its worst month since June 2006

(Reporting by Ashna Teresa Britto in Bengaluru)

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** Britannia Industries BRIT.NS falls 2.5% to 4,920 rupees, lowest in six months

** Stock down 14% this week, set for worst week since January 2000

** BRIT top loser and worst performing stock this week on the benchmark Nifty 50 index .NSEI, which is down 0.04%

** Indian markets are closed on Friday for a holiday

** Consumer goods major posted smaller-than-expected Q2 profit and rev on Monday amid slump in urban consumption

** At least 24 analysts slash PT post results; four downgrade rating

** BRIT rated "hold" on avg now vs "buy" before results; median PT now at 5,450 rupees vs 5,800 rupees earlier - LSEG

** Stock down ~8% YTD

(Reporting by Ashna Teresa Britto in Bengaluru)

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By Praveen Paramasivam, Shivangi Acharya

CHENNAI/NEW DELHI, Nov 13 - India's city dwellers are cutting spending on everything from cookies to fast food as persistently high inflation squeezes middle class budgets, threatening the country's brisk economic growth.

Slowing urban spending over the past three to four months has not only hurt the earnings of largest consumer goods firms, it has raised questions about the structural nature of India's long-term economic success.

Since the end of the pandemic, India's economic growth has been driven in large part by urban consumption, however, that now seems to be changing.

"There is a top end – the people with money are spending like that is going out of style," Nestle India Chairman Suresh Narayanan said.

"There used to be a middle segment, which used to be the segment that most of us fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms used to operate in, which is the middle class of the country, that seems to be shrinking."

Nestle India, which makes Kit Kats and other well-known goods, reported its first quarterly revenue drop since the COVID-hit June quarter in 2020.

While there is no officially defined income bracket for Indian middle class households, they are broadly estimated to account for a third of India's 1.4 billion people.

They are considered a key demographic both economically and politically, with middle class frustration seen as a significant factor behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's weaker election performance this year.

Asia's third-largest economy is expected to expand 7.2% in the financial year ending March 2025, the fastest among its major peers.

Belying those rosy projections, however, are signs of a sharp slowdown in the household sector.

Indian urban consumption hit a two-year low this month, according to an index published by Citibank that captures indicators such as airline bookings, fuel sales and wages.

"While some of the fall could be temporary, the key macro drivers remain unfavourable," Citi's chief India economist Samiran Chakraborty said.

Growth in inflation-adjusted wage costs for listed Indian firms - a proxy for earnings of urban Indians - has remained below 2% for all the three quarters of 2024, well below the 10-year average of 4.4%, data from Citi showed.

Chakraborty cites this as a key factor impacting urban consumption, along with declining savings and tighter rules for personal loans.

Headline inflation has averaged 5% over the past 12 months, but food inflation has held above 8% as weather shocks elevated prices of vegetables, cereals and other essential foods. In October, retail inflation hit a 14-month high of 6.2% while food prices jumped to 10.9%.

Anecdotal data suggests retail sales rose close to 15% year-on-year during the 2024 festive season, which runs from August to November, Nomura said in a note last week, about half last year's pace.

"During this festival season, we have not spent at all," said Rajwanti Dahiya, 60, who survives on her husband's monthly pension of 30,000 Indian rupees ($356.76).

"Savings are low, barely there."

A 'SHRINKING' MIDDLE

India's central bank expects 7.2% GDP growth for the fiscal year ending March 2025 on the back of improved rural demand and a strong services sector.

Higher government investment could also support demand, said Rahul Bajoria, head of India and ASEAN economic research at Bank of America.

"If government spending kicks in, that probably does have some multiplier effects on private consumption spending as well," said Bajoria, who expects GDP growth at 6.8% in the current financial year.

Some are less optimistic with Citi and IDFC First Bank economists expecting GDP growth in the July-September quarter to miss the central bank's projected 7%, weighed by slower urban consumption.

That pessimism has hit consumer stocks with the Nifty FMCG index .NIFTYFMCG declining 13% since Oct. 1, compared with a 7.4% drop in the benchmark Nifty 50 .NSEI.

Of the FMCG index's 15 constituent firms, only one reported a pickup in sales volume growth in the September quarter.

Consumers in large cities are swapping branded items from hair oil to tea for cheaper unbranded alternatives, reflected in the first sales volume decline in 11 quarters for the foods and refreshment group at Hindustan Unilever.

"We see the growth in big city standing down, although in smaller cities and in rural the growth continues to be good," Hindustan Unilever chief executive Rohit Jawa said last month, after reporting lower than expected earnings.

Consumers are also cutting back on dining out.

Fast-food chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut and KFC posted same-store sales declines, earnings showed.

While people are still coming, they are choosing cheaper meals, Rajeev Varman, CEO at Burger King operator Restaurant Brands Asia RESR.NS said after posting a 3% drop in quarterly same-store sales.

"We prefer budget-friendly stores that give good deals and discounts to manage our monthly expenditure," said 37-year old Avinash Crasto, a Mumbai marketing and sales executive who has a family of four and identifies as middle class.

($1 = 84.0640 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai and Shivangi Acharya in New Delhi; Editing by Sam Holmes)

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** Britannia Industries BRIT.NS slides as much as 4.1% to 5,213 rupees, lowest since June 4

** Stock top loser on Nifty 50 index .NSEI, which is up 0.2%

** Biscuits maker posts smaller-than-expected Q2 profit, hurt by weaker demand for consumer goods, particularly in urban areas

** Rev up 5% to 46.68 bln rupees ($553 mln), but below market estimate of 47.39 bln rupees - LSEG

** Stock rated "buy" on avg; median PT is 5,800 rupees

** Day's drop trims YTD gains to 0.2%

($1 = 84.3930 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Ashna Teresa Britto in Bengaluru)

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** Shares of Britannia Industries BRIT.NS drop 2.4% to 5,610.55 rupees

** Biscuits maker is biggest pct loser on Nifty FMCG index .NIFTYFMCG, which is down 0.2%

** Analysts expect BRIT to post Q2 profit of 6.22 bln rupees ($73.7 mln), a nearly 6% y/y rise - LSEG data

** Analysts see a 7% growth in revenue at 47.39 bln rupees

** PL Capital analysts expect signs of improvement in rural demand while urban demand to be impacted by food inflation, recent floods

** Says competitive intensity across detergents, hair oil, skin products, deodorants, instant noodles, and juices remained intense

** HDFC Securities Research says overall demand remained subdued in Q2 due to higher inflation and above-average rainfall

** Analysts' avg rating on stock is "buy", same as peer Dabur DABU.NS and Marico MRCO.NS

** BRIT up 5.3% YTD vs 5.8% drop in DABU; MRCO up 14% YTD

($1 = 84.3725 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Manvi Pant in Bengaluru)

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Oct 9 (Reuters) - Britannia Industries Ltd BRIT.NS:

• BRITANNIA AND BEL GROUP DEEPEN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

• PARTNERSHIP TO ANNOUNCE LOCAL CHEESE MANUFACTURING IN INDIA

• CHEESE PLANT WITNESSED INVESTMENT OF 2.20 BLN RUPEES FROM JV

• EVERY YEAR, FACTORY WILL PRODUCE ABOUT 10000 TONS OF BRITANNIA LAUGHING COW CHEESE PRODUCTS

Source text for Eikon: [ID:]

Further company coverage: BRIT.NS

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Aug 15 (Reuters) - Britannia Industries Ltd BRIT.NS:

• BRITANNIA - GOT TAX ORDER FOR DEMAND OF 9.5 MILLION RUPEES

Further company coverage: BRIT.NS

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Aug 8 (Reuters) - Indian consumer products' sales slowed sharply to a more-than-one-year low from April to June due to softening demand for personal care products and packaged wheat flour, especially in urban areas, market researcher NielsenIQ said on Thursday.

The overall sales volume growth slowed to 3.8% in the second quarter, compared with growth rates of 6.4% to 8.6% in the past four quarters, "largely due to macroeconomic headwinds," NielsenIQ said, without detailing the factors.

India's retail inflation hovered around 5% in the quarter, mostly due to high food prices, forcing consumers in the world's most populous country to cut back wherever possible to make ends meet.

The sales volume growth in rural areas slowed to 5.2%, from 7.6% in the previous quarter, but fared better than urban markets, where growth slowed even more sharply to 2.8% from 5.7%.

The growth in rural pockets outpaced urban areas for the first time in five quarters in the January-March period as consumer majors including Dove-soapmaker Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS trimmed prices to win back consumers.

In the coming quarters, packaged goods makers including rural-centric Dabur India DABU.NS and Emami EMAM.NS expect a further boost, helped by better monsoon and higher government spending, which usually translate to higher consumer spending.

"The timely arrival of monsoon, coupled with a rural-centric budget with a focus on rural infrastructure, agriculture and employment is a key positive for the sector," Dabur CEO Mohit Malhotra said on an earnings call earlier this month.

The likes of Maggi instant noodles-maker Nestle India NEST.NS and biscuits-manufacturer Britannia Industries BRIT.NS are also betting on rural recovery by making their products available at more stores.

For the June quarter, though, consumer goods makers have posted mixed results.

Urban-centric Nestle India reported its slowest growth in eight years as price increases drove consumers away, while more rural-focussed Hindustan Unilever reported higher earnings as price cuts boosted demand.

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam; Editing by Savio D'Souza)

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Aug 5 (Reuters) - Britannia Industries Ltd BRIT.NS:

• INDIA'S BRITANNIA EXEC: RURAL GROWTH IS STARTING TO COME BACK

• BRITANNIA EXEC: CONTINUING TO GAIN MARKET SHARE, HOPE TREND TO CONTINUE

• BRITANNIA EXEC: RURAL PERFORMANCE BETTER THAN URBAN

• BRITANNIA EXEC: PURELY CONCENTRATING ON DIRECT-TO-CONSUMERS BUSINESS

• BRITANNIA EXEC: SEEING TRENDS OF RISING INPUT COSTS, CLOSELY MONITORING COMMODITY INFLATION

• BRITANNIA EXEC: PRIORITY TO DRIVE TOPLINE GROWTH, MARKET SHARE INCREASE

• BRITANNIA EXEC: WILL AIM TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN COMMODITY INFLATION AND PRICING ACTIONS

• BRITANNIA EXEC: WORKING ON POSSIBILITY OF CO BEING MORE COMPETITIVE IN TERMS OF PRICING

• BRITANNIA EXEC: MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE PRICE HIKES IN SOME BRANDS AND CATEGORIES IN FY25

• BRITANNIA EXEC: SEE TRENDS OF DOWNTRADING IN SOME OF THE MARKETS, INCLUDING RURAL

Source text for Eikon: [ID:]

Further company coverage: BRIT.NS

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