How Salloni Ghodawat is making GCL a big name in the FMCG world
New Delhi: Ghodawat Consumer Limited (GCL) started its journey with just one goal, to provide good quality products that make people’s lives better. Under the leadership of CEO Salloni Ghodawat, the company has grown from selling just edible oils to becoming a well-known FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) brand across India.
“We began with a simple thought: to give people products they can trust and use every day,” says Salloni. GCL soon added everyday items like atta, rice, and pulses under the STAR brand. Then, the company entered the snacks and beverages space by buying cool brands like To Be Honest (TBH), which makes real fruit and vegetable snacks, and Coolberg, a leading non-alcoholic beer brand in India.
These new products helped GCL connect with both traditional families and young, modern consumers. “We want to be part of everyone’s daily life, whether they love old-school tastes or trendy new things,” she adds.
Today, GCL’s products are sold in over 2.5 lakh stores across 120 cities in India and are also available online through all major apps and websites. The company even exports to 25+ countries. GCL now wants to reach a revenue of ₹5,000 crore in the next five years by launching more products and growing its brand and network.
Making Sure Quality and Innovation Go Together
In a business like FMCG, quality is very important. “We follow strict safety and hygiene rules like GMP and FSSAI guidelines to make sure all our products are safe and good,” Salloni explains.
To stay updated with the latest trends, GCL uses two methods. One is their in-house R&D (Research and Development) team that works on new ideas. The other is by buying brands that are already doing something unique, like TBH and Coolberg. This way, GCL keeps offering fresh and exciting products to the market.
Dealing with Challenges in the FMCG Market
The FMCG world is fast and competitive. According to Salloni, some big problems include changing customer choices, supply chain issues, and rising prices of raw materials.
To manage all this, GCL is putting money into automation, using digital tools, and reaching out to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where sales are growing faster than in big cities. “We are making sure that our products are easy to find and stay affordable without losing quality,” says Salloni.
GCL’s new product development is based on research and customer needs. The team checks what people want, what’s trending, and where the market is going.
Once they spot an opportunity, their R&D team, along with experts like nutritionists and food scientists, works on making products that are tasty, healthy, and easy to use. For example, their upcoming STAR Kachhi Ghani Mustard Oil is made for people who like pure and traditional cooking oils.
Trends That Are Changing the FMCG Industry
Many customers now want food that is more natural, less processed, and healthier. GCL has introduced items like unpolished dals, khapli atta, and whole-vegetable snacks to meet this demand.
People are also shopping more online through e-commerce and quick delivery apps. GCL has built a strong presence there too. Premium and lifestyle products are getting popular, this is where Coolberg’s non-alcoholic beers are doing well.
Consumers now expect brands to be honest and personalized. GCL is using data and customer feedback to create better and more useful products.
As a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Salloni has strong knowledge of finance. This helps her take smart business decisions, especially in an industry where profits are small. She uses this background to manage costs, choose the right areas to grow, and make sure the company stays strong in the long run.
GCL is also working hard to protect the environment. The company uses ethical sourcing, trusted suppliers, and makes sure its products are made without harming nature or people. It is also working on reducing waste, saving water and energy, and using eco-friendly methods in its factories.
The Road Ahead for GCL
In the next five years, GCL wants to be a ₹5,000 crore company. The focus will be on new product launches, global expansion, and strong marketing. “We want to become a brand that every Indian trusts and take our products to many more countries,” says Salloni.
With Salloni Ghodawat’s smart thinking, deep customer understanding, and clear goals, GCL is truly becoming one of the rising stars in India’s FMCG world.
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