Brands
Nestlé picks up a minority bone in Drools as India’s pet food unicorn gets global tailwind
MUMBAI: India’s pet care sector just got a global paw of approval. Nestlé S.A., the Swiss consumer goods giant and parent of Nestlé India, has picked up a minority stake in Drools Pet Food Pvt. Ltd., the country’s first home-grown pet food brand. The investment, confirmed on 26 May, does not alter Drools’ operational independence.
The move follows a 2023 investment from L Catterton, a global consumer-focussed private equity firm, which also holds a minority share. With both heavyweights now backing it, Drools appears well-fed for global expansion.
Founded in 2010, Drools has built a robust presence across 40,000 Indian retail outlets and exports to 22 countries. Its recent entry into India’s unicorn club only underscores its appetite for growth.
“This is a testament to the love and trust of millions of pet parents and to our unwavering commitment to quality”, said Drools founder Fahim Sultan. “Backed by a strong focus on science-based nutrition, Drools continues to drive innovation and build meaningful engagement with the evolving demographic of Indian pet parents, positioning itself at the forefront of the country’s pet care industry”.
The company runs six manufacturing units and operates out of a 16-lakh sq. ft. warehousing footprint. With a workforce of 3,400 employees, including 1,800 sales professionals, Drools currently offers over 650 SKUs spanning high-protein, prescription, and value-for-money diets. It also maintains a stronghold in the cat food category and leads pet food sales on platforms like Amazon.
“Drools has achieved significant growth since we invested in the company two years ago”, said L Catterton partner & head of India Anjana Sasidharan. “We are thrilled that Nestlé, that has such a renowned position in the global pet care and consumer brands space, joins as a minority partner”.
Brands
Mother Dairy unveils 30 plus products for summer portfolio push
Ice creams, regional dairy and high-protein range drive 30 per cent growth plans
MUMBAI: If summer had a flavour, Mother Dairy is making sure it comes in at least 30. As temperatures climb, Mother Dairy is turning up the chill with an expansive product blitz, announcing a pipeline of over 30 new offerings across its value-added dairy portfolio. Rolled out in phases through the season, the line-up spans indulgence, health, convenience and regional tastes, an attempt to meet India’s increasingly diverse consumption patterns head-on.
Ice creams take centre stage, accounting for around 20 of the new launches. The brand is introducing formats such as a Two-in-One Matka and Tub, alongside a premium ‘Crafted’ range and flavours like Cream Cheese Pistachio Cone and Kulfi Cassata. There is also a clear nod to calorie-conscious consumers, with the debut of a ‘Go-Low’ range featuring variants such as Choco Almond, Shahi Mewa and Kesar Pista Tilla Kulfi.
Beyond indulgence, the company is sharpening its regional play. Products like Jamun Yoghurt and Bhuna Jeera Raita aim to tap into local flavour preferences, while Shrikhand offered in three variants targets western markets. For northern consumers, Meethi Dahi joins the mix, reinforcing a localisation strategy that goes beyond one-size-fits-all offerings.
Convenience is another key lever. Mother Dairy is expanding its UHT milk portfolio with Cow Milk and Standardised Milk in markets such as Jammu and Kashmir, catering to demand for longer shelf-life products without compromising accessibility.
On the nutrition front, the brand is doubling down on protein. Its ‘Pro’ range is being strengthened with Procurd and Propaneer high-protein curd and paneer variants positioning itself within the growing health-conscious segment while retaining its core taste proposition.
The scale of the rollout signals more than just seasonal experimentation. With expectations of over 30 per cent growth across key categories, the company is betting on innovation as a primary growth engine, supported by a mix of traditional and new-age distribution channels.
Marketing, too, is set to match the ambition. High-impact campaigns across ice creams and flavoured milk are in the pipeline, aimed particularly at younger consumers and designed to amplify summer consumption moments.
In a market where heat often dictates demand, Mother Dairy is not just responding to the season, it is trying to own it, one scoop, sip and spoonful at a time.
