intro
Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) or consumer packaged goods (CPG) are products that are sold quickly and at relatively low cost. Examples include non-durable goods such as soft drinks, toiletries, and grocery items.[1][2] Though the absolute profit made on FMCG products is relatively small, they are generally sold in large quantities, and so the cumulative profit on such products can be substantial.
Fast-moving consumer electronics are a type of FMCG and are typically low priced generic or easily substitutable consumer electronics, including lower end mobile phones, MP3 players, game players, and digital cameras, which have a short usage life, typically a year or less, and as such are disposable. Cheap FMCG electronics are often retained even after immediate failure, as the purchaser rationalizes the decision to not return the goods on the basis that the goods were cheap to begin with, and that the cost of return relative to the low cost of purchase is high. Thus low-quality electronic FMCG goods can be highly profitable for the vendors.
Global leaders in the FMCG segment are Anheuser-Busch InBev, Nestlé, ITC, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Reckitt Benckiser, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, L'Oréal, Coca-Cola, Carlsberg, Kleenex, General Mills, Pepsi, Gillette etc.
The following are the main characteristics of FMCGs:[1] • From the consumers' perspective: o Frequent purchase o Low involvement (little or no effort to choose the item – products with strong brand loyalty are exceptions to this rule) o Low price • From the marketers' angle: o High volumes o Low contribution margins o Extensive distribution networks o High stock