RRVL, a part of Reliance Industries, has recently pulled in R S Sodhi – a veteran leader in the dairy industry and former MD at Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) home to the Amul brand of milk & dairy products. Neither Sodhi nor Reliance have confirmed the news yet, however sources speculate that his knowledge could be beneficial to further develop the grocery vertical in terms of fruits & vegetables and support the consumer brands segment.
Through its subsidiary Reliance Consumer Products (RCPL), Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL) is making major strides in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market. RCPL has unveiled a wide assortment of items, from Campa beverages to home and personal care merchandise. Sodhi’s appointment is not the first instance of the company leveraging industry veterans. They had earlier employed T Krishnakumar, former chairman of Coca-Cola India, to reach new heights.
Considering Sodhi’s expertise in the dairy industry, it is likely his talent will be used to introduce dairy and value-added dairy products in the future. After spending over four decades at GCMMF, Sodhi decided to leave back in January. By bringing on board Sodhi, Reliance has taken steps to strengthen its presence in the FMCG market and better compete with major players like Amul and Mother Dairy.
Reliance’s expansion into the FMCG space is part of its broader goal to diversify its revenue streams and reduce its dependence on the petrochemicals business. With the FMCG sector expected to see significant growth in India, Reliance has been actively expanding its presence in the space. The company has made several strategic investments, including the acquisition of Future Group’s retail business, to further its goal of becoming a dominant player in the industry.
In addition to its expansion in the FMCG space, Reliance has been making significant strides in the digital sector. The company has made several key acquisitions, including the purchase of a majority stake in online pharmacy Netmeds and the launch of its own e-commerce platform, JioMart. Reliance’s digital arm, Jio Platforms, has also raised significant amounts of capital from high-profile investors, including Facebook, Google, and Qualcomm.
The addition of Sodhi to Reliance’s team may help the company further its ambitions in the FMCG space and expand its offerings in the dairy and value-added dairy segment. As one of India’s largest and most well-respected conglomerates, Reliance has the resources and expertise to compete with established players in the space, and its continued expansion into new sectors may help ensure its long-term success.
