L’Oréal Reports Strong Growth in India, Expands Digital and Quick Commerce

French beauty giant L’Oréal has announced a significant rebound in its Indian market operations, with growth accelerating notably in the haircare and skincare segments. The company is also intensifying its focus on digital sales channels, especially quick commerce, which represents a rapidly expanding portion of India’s e-commerce landscape.

In its third-quarter financial results for calendar year 2026, released on October 25, L’Oréal confirmed the completion of its acquisition of a majority stake in Innovist. This Indian personal care group owns popular brands such as Bare Anatomy and Chemist at Play. Initially disclosed in June, this strategic purchase aims to strengthen L’Oréal’s foothold in the fast-growing Indian beauty sector.

The company’s consumer products division in India experienced double-digit growth during the July to September period. Alongside this, L’Oréal’s professional products division recorded outstanding performance in emerging markets including Brazil, India, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, highlighting the global appeal of its professional beauty offerings.

Nicolas Hieronimus, L’Oréal’s CEO, shared insights during the earnings call, noting, "India, where I recently visited, is undergoing a great turnaround. The quality of our teams there has improved markedly. We are now tailoring more products for the Indian market than before. Our commerce efforts are accelerating, with a specific focus on quick commerce, a vital segment of e-commerce in India."

Quick commerce refers to the rapid delivery of goods within a short time frame, often under an hour, which has become a key competitive advantage in India’s bustling online retail environment. L’Oréal’s move to emphasize this channel reflects a broader industry trend toward meeting consumer demand for speed and convenience.

In the skincare category, L’Oréal is working on expanding the visibility and availability of its dermatological brands CeraVe and La Roche-Posay. While CeraVe is still relatively new in India, it is growing quickly and reaching additional cities. La Roche-Posay, positioned as a premium brand, complements CeraVe’s offerings and caters to a different segment of consumers. Hieronimus noted, "India is one of the countries where CeraVe is still a baby brand, but growing fast and expanding to new cities. We’ve launched La Roche-Posay also in India, a bit more expensive, but the two working together is good."

Such initiatives align with the rising consumer interest in high-quality skincare products among Indian buyers, who are becoming more knowledgeable and selective about their beauty purchases.

L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital fund BOLD has also been active in the Indian market. Recently, it teamed up with Nykaa, a leading Indian beauty and wellness platform, to acquire minority stakes in several fast-growing domestic beauty, personal care, and wellness brands. This partnership highlights the company’s strategic intent to nurture local innovation and capitalize on the expanding beauty ecosystem in India.

The Indian beauty and personal care market has been one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, driven by rising incomes, increasing urbanization, and greater digital connectivity. Consumers are boosting demand for premium and specialist products, while online sales continue to gain momentum, fueled by smartphone penetration and logistics improvements. L’Oréal’s recent performance and strategic moves demonstrate its commitment to capturing this growth and adapting to evolving consumer preferences.

As the company advances its presence in India, it is balancing innovation, local relevance, and efficient distribution channels to maintain its competitive edge. The integration of Innovist’s portfolio and the emphasis on quick commerce are expected to enhance L’Oréal’s market responsiveness and customer engagement in one of its key emerging markets.