Brands
“Sustainability is anticipated to become a non-negotiable factor in consumer choices”: Danone India’s Sriram Padmanabhan
Mumbai: In a world where health-conscious choices are gaining prominence, the need for better nutrition in our day-to-day lives plays a pivotal role in shaping our well-being. At the forefront of this global paradigm is Danone, a renowned food and nutrition company committed to pioneering solutions for a healthier lifestyle.
Danone India, a prominent player in the food and nutrition domain, reflects the global ethos of its parent company, boasting a sales turnover exceeding 23 billion Euros and a workforce spanning across 57 countries. With a robust portfolio catering to adult nutrition, healthy aging, and child-toddler nutrition, Danone India embodies a fusion of global expertise and local nutritional aspirations.
Indiantelevision.com caught up with Danone India marketing director Sriram Padmanabhan to discuss the brand’s entry and sustainability efoorts in India, the impact of nutritional drinks on children’s diets, and much more…
Edited Excerpts:
On Danone’s launch in India, and the brand setting itself apart in the competitive market
Danone entered India in 2012. Driven by its mission to bring health to as many people as possible, Danone serves across life stages addressing significant health challenges with its power brands in Dexolac, Protinex, Farex and introduced its global brands Aptamil in 2017. We are committed to innovation, tailoring products to meet the unique nutritional needs and cultural preferences of each region worldwide.
On Danone’s plan to demonstrate measurable impacts and transparency in its sustainability efforts in India, aligning with the ‘One Planet. One Health’ agenda?
In line with the Danone Renew strategy, the company has redefined its sustainability journey, focusing on three pillars: health, nature, and people & communities. With a commitment to maximising impact, Danone’s priorities include delivering tastier and healthier food, promoting better choices, and investing in nutrition science. The overarching goal is to bring health through food, preserve nature, and enhance societal well-being. To achieve this, we implement robust monitoring and evaluation systems that track key sustainability metrics across our operations. We prioritise initiatives that not only mitigate environmental impact but also promote societal well-being, such as reducing carbon emissions, conserving water resources, and fostering community engagement.
On research and development influencing Danone’s approach to product development and innovation in India
The increased focus on research and development has allowed us to address the unique needs and preferences of Indian consumers. Through R&D, we have introduced products tailored to local tastes while upholding Danone’s global standards of quality and nutrition. We conduct India-specific research and development to ensure our product is tailored to local nutritional requirements. This enables us to continuously enhance and localize our product offerings and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of Indian consumers and the planet.
On the unique features or benefits that AptaGrow offers to children aged three to six years
AptaGrow is a scientifically designed health drink that addresses the nutrition requirement of children in the age group of three to six years. With 37 nutrients that contains a unique blend of prebiotics which help in better absorption of vital nutrients essential to support growth, brain development and immunity. It has 100 per cent milk protein and calcium to support height gain, Vitamin A, C, D to support immune health and DHA, iron, folic acid & iodine to support brain development, while the unique blend of prebiotics supports absorption of the essential nutrients. This low-fat, chocolate/vanilla-flavored drink serves as an ideal choice for promoting healthy growth and overall development in children. We have also introduced a first-of-its-kind tool – Aptagrow Growth Chakra, to help mothers measure and understand her child’s holistic growth needs. This tool not only measures the child’s height, weight but also immunity, brain development and overall well-being.
On Danone’s response to skepticism regarding the need for specialised products like AptaGrow versus promoting whole foods for children’s nutrition, considering the ongoing debate on the influence of nutritional drinks on children’s diets
While nutritional drinks aren’t substitutes, they serve as valuable additions to children’s diets, fostering overall health and wellness. While we recognise the importance of a well-balanced meal, we also understand that consistently meeting the nutritional needs of your child sometimes might be a challenge.
Therefore, we launched AptaGrow a scientifically designed milk drink that addresses the nutrition requirement of children in the age group of three to six years. With 37 nutrients it contains a unique blend of prebiotics which help in better absorption of vital nutrients crucial to support growth, brain development and immunity. It has 100 per cent milk protein and calcium to support height gain, Vitamin A, C, D to support immune health and DHA, iron, folic acid & iodine to support brain development, while the unique blend of prebiotics supports absorption of the essential nutrients.
On the recent revamp of Protinex positioning Danone to maintain its market leadership in India’s adult nutrition sector and on digital strategies complementing this rebranding initiative to enhance customer satisfaction
Since its inception in 1957, Protinex has been a prominent player in the field of adult nutrition in India. Over the past 65 years, Protinex has earned a strong reputation as a trusted and reliable brand, consistently delivering optimal nutrition to its consumers. Notably, Protinex has emerged as the leading brand in the adult nutrition segment. The recent brand revamp has been envisaged to further strengthen the brand relevance and build affinity across age segments while maintaining brand premium-ness with differentiated health benefits, greater quality, and taste across variants.
Recognising the immense reach and influence of digital platforms, we aim to harness its potential to connect with our target audience effectively. By incorporating social media into our media mix, we engage consumers, share informative content, and foster meaningful conversations around health and nutrition, thereby amplifying the impact and strengthening our brand relevance.
On the trends in consumer behavior that you foresee in 2024, particularly in relation to health consciousness and nutrition preferences
In 2024, consumer behaviour is poised to reflect a heightened emphasis on holistic well-being, encompassing not only nutritional considerations but also mental and emotional health. The trend of viewing food as a holistic solution for overall wellness is expected to persist, with consumers seeking products that not only address nutritional needs but overall development. Moreover, the integration of technology into personalised nutrition plans is expected to become more mainstream, empowering consumers to tailor their dietary choices based on individual health conditions, preferences, and lifestyle.
Sustainability is anticipated to become a non-negotiable factor in consumer choices, with a growing preference for products from brands that emphasize sustainable practices, eco-friendly packaging, and transparent supply chains. By staying attuned to these evolving consumer trends, brands and manufacturers can strategically position themselves to meet the changing demands of health-conscious consumers.
On your vision and mission for the next three years
At Danone, our global mission is “bringing health through food to as many people as possible.” We are committed to continually innovating and providing products and services that align with the nutritional requirements and expectations of consumers throughout their life stages. Our focus is on addressing local nutritional needs and promoting healthier eating habits among Indian consumers. Sustainability is at the core of our operations; we strive to reduce environmental impact while fostering inclusive growth across our supply chain. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the health and well-being of Indian communities while upholding the highest standards of sustainability and social responsibility.
Brands
Uber launches hotel bookings feature in partnership with Expedia
From hotel bookings to room service at your door, the ride-hailing giant is making its boldest push yet into everyday life
CALIFORNIA: Uber is done being just a taxi app. At its annual GO-GET product event, the world’s leading mobility and delivery platform unveiled a sweeping set of new features designed to plant itself at the centre of how people travel, eat and shop, hotel bookings included.
The headline move is a partnership with Expedia Group that lets Uber users in the United States book hotels directly within the Uber app, with access to a catalogue that will eventually grow to more than 700,000 properties worldwide. Uber One members get 10 per cent back in Uber One credits on all hotel bookings and savings of at least 20 per cent on a rolling list of more than 10,000 hotels globally. Vacation rentals from Vrbo, Expedia Group’s home-rental brand, will be added later this year. The partnership is expected to expand beyond the United States. From June, Uber rides will also be integrated directly into the Expedia app, with push notifications sent to travellers ahead of hotel check-in to book discounted Uber rides for the duration of their stay.
Dara Khosrowshahi, chief executive of Uber, framed the expansion in terms of the modern condition. “Uber is becoming an app for everything, helping people go, get, and now travel all in one place,” he said. “We’re all living through a moment of real cognitive overload: too many apps, too many decisions, too much noise. At the end of the day, our job is to help people reclaim their time, spending less of it managing the logistics of life and more of it actually living.”
Ariane Gorin, chief executive of Expedia Group, struck a similarly ambitious note. “Travel should feel effortless, and this partnership gets us one step closer to offering a seamless traveller experience,” she said. “By connecting our two-sided marketplace with Uber, we’re bringing Uber rides directly into the Expedia app and Expedia Group’s lodging inventory into the Uber app through our Rapid API technology. Together, we’re helping travellers spend less time planning and more time enjoying the journey.”
Beyond hotels, the product announcements come thick and fast. Travel Mode, available within both the Uber and Uber Eats apps, offers curated recommendations on local favourites, tourist destinations, OpenTable restaurant reservations and on-demand delivery to hotel rooms. Uber One International means the membership programme now works globally, allowing members to earn credits on rides abroad that can be redeemed once back home. A new Shop for Me feature lets users request items from any store, even those not listed on the app. Eats for the Way allows riders in select cities booking an Uber Black or Uber Black SUV to have a drink or snack waiting for them in the car. Voice Bookings, powered by artificial intelligence, lets users book a ride conversationally, without touching their phone. And a redesigned One Search bar consolidates results for places, food and items across the entire Uber platform in a single query.
Uber has now logged more than 72 billion trips since it launched in 2010. The question it is now answering is what comes after the ride. The answer, apparently, is everything else. Whether users want a hotel in Paris, a coffee in the back of a car or a snake plant from the local garden centre, Uber would very much like to be the one to provide it. The app economy’s land grab has a new front-runner.
NOTE: The image used is AI generated and only for representational purposes.
