GCI Magazine published an article that forecasts the fragrances market in India to grow at a CAGR of 26% through 2018. Males are a big part of this market in India, according to the story.
Indian men are becoming conscious about their image, which can be partially attributed to the rising pressure to succeed in the workplace.
Rapid urbanization, as men have flocked to the major cities in search of higher paid work, has led to continual pressure and competition in office environments. Kirsty Nolan is quoted, “Men in this scenario want professional and sophisticated fragrances that complement their workplace image, believing that this will help aid their career success.”
Men in India also are conscious about the price, and therefore brands, manufacturers and retailers need to be careful in the positioning of their fragrances. According to Nolan, “There is a willingness to pay for quality across India as 22% of fragrances consumption is motivated by this need; however, this is followed by 20% of consumption motivated by the search for better value. Fragrance companies need to ensure that they are providing men with an affordable, high-quality, daily wear that can be incorporated into the average man’s grooming routine.”
In the past it was common for Indian men and women to use the same, unisex fragrances with scents which, in the West, would be exclusively associated with women. Rural men and those in smaller towns are still using these fragrances. But as urbanization increases and a fascination with Western culture spreads beyond the cities, men are opting for more masculine fragrances that better suit the evolving culture, such as those with spicy, woody, oceanic and citrus notes. This opens huge opportunities for fragrance companies to explicitly target men with masculine fragrances and accompanying marketing campaigns.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
