Heatwave splits India retail: cold drinks, ice-cream surge while AC and fridge sales stall
Mother Dairy, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Britannia are scaling distribution as ice-cream volumes more than doubled in 10 days and dairy beverages jumped 30%. But 8-10% price hikes and fuel costs are capping durables: AC sales up just 15% YoY and fridges 10%, well below peak-summer expectations.
India's heatwave is boosting soft drink, ice-cream and dairy beverage sales, with Mother Dairy, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Britannia ramping up distribution. Conversely, AC and fridge demand remains weak as price hikes and fuel costs dampen discretionary spending.