Maggi Noodles in India: Creating and growing the category
Nestlé launched MAGGI instant noodles in India in 1983. At that time MAGGI was not a power brand in the Indian market and noodles were fairly alien to the Indian consumer. Nestlé grew MAGGI to become one of the top food brands in India and built the instant noodles from nothing to `15.8 billion by 2010, a category that was highly profitable and growing at 22% a year. The case describes the four-part approach that Nestlé used to accomplish this: adapting its product from a soupy noodle to a dry cake and formulating a taste that would appeal to the Indian palate across the entire country; strengthening its competitive position by attending to each element of the value chain – R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, sales and marketing; growing the category through product innovation and go-to-market innovation; and retaining a leadership position in the face of competition from other MNCs by continuous innovation and willingness to cannibalize its own products. The case illustrates how multinational corporations (MNCs) can capitalize on the huge opportunities available in the Indian market. While the market is potentially huge, the challenges in developing it are also daunting. Success requires persistence and entrepreneurship at multiple levels of the corporation. In the case of Nestlé, top management at its Swiss headquarters, the country head in India and the front line product champion in India all played their parts in an aligned manner. The case illustrates how an MNC can blend local responsiveness with its global strengths to create a winning position in the Indian market.
The main learning objective of this case is to support mid-level and senior executives (senior executives, country managers in emerging markets, supply chain professionals, product development teams) as well as MBA participants in exploring how MNCs can best leverage the India opportunity. The case focuses particularly on the following issues: exploring how an MNC can successfully enter the India market; what an MNC must do to consolidate its gains and grow a market category; and how an MNC can maintain market share and continue to innovate in the face of increased competition. It also provides a useful vehicle to discuss the multi-level (top management, country manager and front line managers) leadership that is needed and how sustained support from top management and persistence at the country level are both essential to building a winning presence in the Indian market.
Nestlé, Unilever
2008 to present
Cranfield University
Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]
Harvard Business School Publishing
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]
NUCB Business School
1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]
IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Navigate Trump's policy shifts with a clear framework to assess business risks, plan contingencies, and stay ahead in uncertain times. Prepare for what’s next.
Given the world’s many challenges, the ability to forge effective alliances across business, government, the non-profit sector, and academia has become essential to building durable solutions. Here are eight steps to guide you through the process.
Without a robust geopolitical radar, successfully navigating geopolitics is more luck than judgment.
Here are three strategic lessons from the tramp shipping industry.
Here are three strategic lessons from the tramp shipping industry.
Why the market for new year predictions is broken and how executives can better use forecasts to discern the implications for their companies.
Strategic thinking is key to success. Overcome common excuses and develop the skills to navigate change, drive innovation, and prepare for future business challenges.
Officially, brands executives continue to display confidence that big luxury will shrug off the 2024 downturn as a cyclical one. They see it as the product of the combined collapse of real estate prices in China and a return to normalcy after the ...
Did our predictions for 2024 come true, a turbulent election year, bitcoin and CBDC, COP29 and electric cars, China, EU integration and Euro football
Did our predictions for 2024 come true, a turbulent election year, bitcoin and CBDC, COP29 and electric cars, China, EU integration and Euro football
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications