Yes, Lakme is an Indian company. It is an Indian cosmetics brand founded by the famous industrialist, JRD Tata, as a part of the Tata Group. Even though Lakme is currently owned by Hindustan Unilever, a subsidiary of the British multinational consumer goods company, Unilever, it maintains its unique Indian brand identity. The name ‘Lakme’ is the French word for ‘Lakshmi’, the goddess of beauty and prosperity.
Lakme is a leading brand offering a wide range of cosmetics and skincare products. These include but not limited to moisturisers, cleansers, sunscreens, lipsticks, eyeliners, foundations, mascaras and nail polishes. Lakme also offers makeup, haircare and skincare services through its exclusive salons across India.
| Details | Info |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Founder | JRD Tata and Simone Tata |
| Headquarters | Unilever House, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| CEO | Vipul Chaturvedi |
| Sector | Beauty and Personal Care |
Company History
Lakme was founded in the year 1952 by JRD Tata and Simone Tata under the Tata Group. The brand was established with the express purpose of providing high-quality affordable cosmetic products to Indian women, thereby reducing reliance on imported cosmetics. Lakme tailored its products to specifically suit the skin tone of Indian women and the climate of India.
Lakme quickly gained traction among the Indian consumers. The brand offered multiple products like nail polishes, face powders and lipsticks. Lakme grew consistently throughout 1950s and 1980s. The company operated as a joint venture between Tata Industries and other stakeholders and became a dominant player in the Indian cosmetics market.
In the year 1996, Tata Industries sold its stakes in Lakme to the Indian subsidiary of Unilever, Hindustan Unilever Limited. By the early 2000s, Lakme had diversified its product portfolio to new lines of skincare products and advanced makeup formulations. In the same period, Lakme established its own chain of salons.
Current Status
Lakme currently holds 15% share in the Indian cosmetics market, which is more than that of multiple global brands operating in the country. The company has a network of more than 1200 retail stores and over 400 Lakme salons across 120+ cities in India. Furthermore, Lakme has a strong digital presence, including e-commerce sites like Nykka and Amazon.
Lakme offers around 300 products, including skincare, haircare and makeup products. While the company continues to be known for its affordable products, it also offers premium product lines like Lakme Absolute and Lakme 9 to 5.
Future Outlook
Lakme’s large brand portfolio and strong brand legacy positions it to capitalise on the growing demand for beauty and personal care products in India. The company is seeking to expand its salon network of more than 400 to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Lakme is also likely to invest in organic or natural and mini sized cosmetic products.