Bajaj Consumer Care expands e-commerce push as revenue crosses Rs 1,000 crore

MUMBAI: Bajaj Consumer Care has given its growth engine a fresh spin, crossing the Rs 1,000 crore revenue mark for the first time in FY2025-26 as stronger brands, wider distribution and tighter cost control drove a sharp business turnaround.

The company, which marked 15 years since its stock market listing and more than seven decades since its founding, reported consolidated revenue from operations of Rs 1,153.4 crore, up 21.4 per cent year on year.

Profitability grew faster, with consolidated EBITDA rising 70.9 per cent to Rs 224.4 crore. EBITDA margin improved to 19.5 per cent, while consolidated profit after tax jumped 51.8 per cent to Rs 190.2 crore.

Gross margin expanded by 659 basis points to 60.19 per cent, supported by revenue management, a stronger product mix and cost optimisation.

On a standalone basis, revenue stood at Rs 1,080.9 crore, EBITDA at Rs 228.9 crore and PAT at Rs 193.7 crore. Earnings per share stood at Rs 14.48. The net-debt-free company also completed a Rs 186.6 crore share buyback during the year.

The company’s flagship Bajaj Almond Drops Hair Oil remained a key growth driver, with the brand growing in the twenties and outpacing overall company growth. Low-unit-price packs, including sachets and the pilot Rs 2 Extra Poshan packs in Odisha and Jharkhand, helped support volume growth.

The non-core growth portfolio crossed Rs 225 crore in annual sales, with the company targeting Rs 500 crore over the next three years.

The coconut oil portfolio also expanded, reaching more than one crore households. Bajaj Consumer Care launched Bajaj Gold Enriched Coconut Hair Oil in 12 days as it responded to raw material cost pressures and GST changes.

The acquisition of Vishal Personal Care, owner of Banjara’s, completed its first full year with the company. Through Project Vridhi, Bajaj Consumer Care has integrated its go-to-market strategy across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, supported by more than 700 channel partners and 100,000 retail outlets.

Distribution expansion remained another major focus. Under Project Aarohan Phase 2, the company added 363 channel partners, converted 289 vans to direct-reach models and expanded its reach by 41 per cent to 53,000 outlets across eight states.

Phase 3 will extend the programme into Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab and Gujarat, with plans to add 15,000 direct outlets and 535 channel partners.

Organised trade grew more than 20 per cent and now contributes nearly 30 per cent of sales. Quick-commerce platforms including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto have also emerged as important growth channels.

Technology is increasingly underpinning the company’s sales and distribution network. Its AI and machine-learning driven Field Assist sales force automation platform has been adopted by 1,158 employees, covering 100 per cent of urban outlets and 70-80 per cent of rural outlets through geo-tagging and geo-fencing.

The company also upgraded its SAP ERP systems and migrated its Distributor Management System to Amazon Web Services’ cloud platform.

On the sustainability front, Bajaj Consumer Care is targeting a 25 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon intensity by FY2026-27 against its FY2021-22 baseline, followed by Net Zero by FY2029-30. Scope 1 emissions fell 4 per cent and Scope 2 emissions declined 8 per cent during the year.

The company spent Rs 3.45 crore on CSR initiatives, benefiting 7,245 families across 683 villages. Its programmes included 4,537 roof rainwater recharge structures, 3,796 solar pumps and natural farming training for 210,940 farmers.

The initiatives in Wardha, Maharashtra, also earned Bajaj Consumer Care the Golden Peacock Award for CSR.

With its core brand gaining momentum, newer categories scaling up and distribution becoming increasingly digital and direct, Bajaj Consumer Care’s FY26 performance marks a significant shift from recovery to sustained growth.