Haroli/Una, June 12 (Rajveer Chopra):— In his first annual letter sharing the company's performance, future strategy, and growth priorities, Nestlé India Chairman and Managing Director Manish Tiwary stated that the financial year 2025-26 was a year of strong achievements for the company. He noted that throughout the year, the company achieved double-digit volume-led growth alongside significant market share gains, while remaining focused on fundamental principles. During this period, the company's total sales stood at ?23,071.5 crore.
Manish Tiwary stated that despite changing economic conditions, food inflation, and evolving consumer preferences, Nestlé India achieved remarkable results by rapidly adapting to the situation. He mentioned that demand remained robust in urban areas, while signs of recovery were also observed in rural regions. The rising aspirations and changing lifestyles of consumers across India's diverse markets are creating new opportunities for the company.
**Key Priorities for the Company**
Manish Tiwary stated that Nestlé India is working on four key priorities for the future. These include adopting a consumer-centric approach, achieving volume-led growth by increasing market penetration, reinvesting in brands and production capacity, and accelerating technology-driven sales and operations. He noted that these priorities determine where the company will focus its attention, where it will invest, and how it will make its operations more effective.
He emphasized that a consumer-centric mindset forms the foundation of the company's entire value chain. Nestlé is striving to enhance its products and services by understanding consumer needs and experiences. Driven by this mindset, the company has expanded its Nestlé Professional business. Currently, over 1,000 retail kiosks—such as Nescafé Corners, Maggi Hotspots, and KitKat Break Zones—are operational across the country, serving consumers at educational institutions, healthcare centers, and airports.
As part of its strategy to deepen market penetration, the company is continuously expanding its distribution network. Special emphasis is being placed on new business areas alongside flagship brands like Maggi, KitKat, Nescafé, NAN, and Cerelac. In the pet food segment, the company is moving to capitalize on new opportunities through its brand, ‘Purina PetCare’.
Highlighting rural India as a key driver of future growth, Tiwari stated that the company has strengthened its presence in small towns and rural markets. Products, packaging, and distribution strategies are being tailored to local needs and consumer preferences, thereby boosting both market penetration and demand.
He noted that the company achieved record savings in operational costs during the 2025-26 fiscal year through structural cost-efficiency programs. These savings were reinvested into brand building, advertising, digital marketing, market expansion, and strengthening the distribution network, resulting in growth for both brand equity and consumer demand.
Emphasizing the increasing use of technology, Tiwari stated that the company is promoting digital technologies and data-driven decision-making to enhance the efficiency of sales, supply chain, and distribution systems. Product reach is being ensured even in remote rural areas through digital platforms like ‘NesMitra’. He added that artificial intelligence and automation are playing a pivotal role in boosting employee productivity and delivering a superior consumer experience.
Addressing environmental responsibilities, he mentioned that the company is continuously working on sustainable packaging, responsible sourcing of raw materials, water conservation, and resource optimization under its ‘Good for Planet’ roadmap. The objective of these efforts is to build a business capable of meeting both current and future needs.
Concluding his message, Manish Tiwary expressed gratitude to the company's employees, consumers, suppliers, distributors, retailers, and shareholders, stating that Nestlé India would continue to move forward with a strategy focused on discipline, innovation, and long-term growth, emerging as an even stronger and more capable organization in the years ahead.