India: M&As, ethnic products & niche F&B startups to keep FMCG buzzing in 2016

Weak consumer sentiment and lower-than-expected demand impacted sales at large consumer goods firms in 2015 in both urban and rural markets. Rural demand suffered due to a second straight year of poor monsoon rains. However, analysts and executives expect some buoyancy in the market, as the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendations will likely see more money in the hands of urban households.