New Delhi, May 3 -- India's top consumer goods makers are chasing a pot of gold, as a prosperous class rises. For long, companies concentrated on mass-market products such as powder detergents, shampoos and soaps aimed at millions of middle-income households. The focus is now shifting to premium products and new categories unavailable in India as yet.
Last week, Nestle India said it is set to launch its premium Nespresso coffees and machines in India, citing a "surge" in in-home coffee consumption. The company said India is one of its fastest-growing markets.
Today, premium products account for 12-13% of the company's sales-Nestle expects this number to rise to 15-16% in the medium term and 20% in the long term, said Suresh Narayanan, cha...