Impressed by growing demand for Patanjali products from its wholesale buyers, the local unit of world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart India, is in talks with yoga guru Baba Ramdev to sell his range of consumer to personal care products across its 20 wholesale cash-and-carry stores in nine states, according to a top executive.
“We are in discussions,” Krish Iyer chief executive of Walmart India told FE. “There is a reasonable demand in our stores.” The talks are in early stages, he said.
Founded by yoga guru Baba Ramdev in Haridwar, Patanjali Ayurved, makes and sells Herbomineral consumer products in food, staples, nutrition, haircare, skin care, dental care and toiletries, using ingredients as mentioned in the ancient science of Ayurveda.
Walmart India’s move comes close on the heels after the country’s largest retailer Future Group signed a pact with Patanjali in October last to sell its products at its Big Bazaar supermarket, and other chain of stores including KB’s Aadhaar, and Nilgiris retail outlets spread across 245 cities and towns in the country.
Earlier this month, Future Group chief executive had said that his stores are already seeing sales of Patanjali products at about Rs 7-8 crore a week, adding that the demand was higher than supply for products such as ghee, toothpaste and personal-care products. The group expects sales of Patanjali products to reach Rs 1,000 crore by next year, once the demand issue and supply is fixed.
