Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting (WCCL) has reported a 3.5% increase in revenue to Rs 10,600 crore for the 2024-25 period. However, the company’s growth has been impacted by inflation and subdued consumer sentiment. According to CEO Vineet Agrawal, the company is experiencing a slowdown in China, with dramatic drops of 20-25% in demand. While the decline in India is not as steep, the company is still facing flat or marginal declines in the region.
Despite the challenging demand environment, WCCL’s volume growth was 7.8% last year, the highest in the industry. The company’s premium and economy products have performed well, with no quarter growing less than 7% in terms of volume. The company’s flagship brand, Santoor soap and body lotion, has crossed sales of over Rs 2,750 crore, marginally up from Rs 2,650 crore in the previous year.
International businesses account for 51% of WCCL’s revenue, with the company’s Yardley India brand continuing to perform well. The brand has achieved sales of Rs 300 crore, consistently growing year on year. Another brand, Chandrika, has also shown significant growth both in India and internationally. Additionally, Unza, a brand acquired by WCCL in 2007, has grown approximately six to seven times since its acquisition.
The company’s performance has been impacted by various factors, including the delayed government orders due to last year’s election, which affected demand in India. However, WCCL’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions and its focus on premium and economy products have helped the company to maintain its growth trajectory. Overall, while the company is facing challenges in certain markets, its diversified portfolio and strong brands have enabled it to navigate the difficult demand environment and achieve revenue growth.