Counterfeit Brands Introduction We will discuss its effects in FMCG, consumer durables, Pharmaceutical and rural sectors. FMCG (Fast moving consumer goods) First let us try and see the scenario of FMCG sector It is the fourth largest sector in the Indian economy with a total market size of around Rs 45,000 crore in which northern and western regions accounts for half of the market for consumer goods. This sector is growing at a very fast rate where the varieties of products that are given to customer are immense and these numbers have been increasing further with the players, who are in the game of supplying spurious goods to this industry. According to an AC Nielsen study FMCG segment in the country alone incurs a loss of about Rs 1,800 crore from spurious goods. This is the industry, which is flooded with fake products and making the customer as well as the marketer to suffer. The action that has been taken by customers are in the unconscious state rather than the conscious state where he/she is not aware that the product that they are purchasing is a spurious one, for example if a customer goes to the market to purchase Parle-G glucose biscuits and is offered Parla-G, as a customer we are not really conscious of the counterfeit products in the market and we will purchase the same and go. Counterfeits and pass-off products are reportedly affecting sales of several brands to the extent of 20-30%. Consumer durables: Health sector Now let us focus on the sector, which is highly influenced by the spurious goods in the market, and it is one of the growing sectors in India. The output of India pharmaceutical industry is ranked 4th in terms of volume and 13th in terms of value. If we look at the domestic market it i ...