GSK wants to expand Sensodyne's market share

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare, which re-entered the Indian toothpaste market with Sensodyne, is looking to increase its share to double digit from the current 2 per cent.

In 2003, GSK had discontinued its Aquafresh brand. But a few years ago it entered the sensitivity segment of the toothpaste market through its brand Sensodyne.

Double-digit target

“We are very happy with the response to Sensodyne and our focus is to raise our market share to double digits very soon,” Mr Jayant Singh, Marketing Director of the company, said. He, however, did not give a time frame.

Mr Singh was in the city on Monday to launch the company's CSR initiative,

Ahaar Abhiyan , a nutrition campaign that is being piloted in two slum blocks of Kolkata. GSK indicated that it is planning to increase its presence in the breakfast segment. Apart from its malt-based health drink and biscuits, Horlicks has presence in the breakfast segment in southern markets through Horlicks oats.

In the snacks segment, it is present through Foodles (Horlicks noodles).

It also has plans to launch some of its international health and nutritional products in the country.

“Innovation will be the clear driver of our force. The pace of innovation will be accelerated. There are a number of product categories that are available worldwide but not in India and we are planning to launch them in the country,” he added.

>abhishek.l@thehindu.co.in