Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), also called consumer packaged goods (CPG), refer to products that are highly in-demand, sold quickly, and affordable. Such items are considered “fast-moving” as they are quick to leave the shelves of a store or supermarket because consumers use them on a regular basis.
Examples of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
Fast-moving consumer goods include packaged food, toiletries, beverages, stationery, over-the-counter medicines, cleaning and laundry products, plastic goods, personal care products, as well as less expensive consumer electronics, such as mobile phones and headphones.
Some fast-moving consumer goods are highly perishable, such as meat, dairy products, baked goods, fruits, and vegetables. Sales of FMCG are usually affected by discounts being offered by the stores, and by holidays and other seasonal periods.
Working at an FMCG Company
The multi-million-dollar FMCG industry is creative and innovative. Companies are always on the lookout for consumer products that are both affordable and readily available. FMCG products are used by most people day in and day out. As an employee, you can easily identify with the industry.
If you’re looking for a work environment that promotes the sharing of ideas and creativity, you may want to consider working with an FMCG company. With the huge selection of products being offered to consumers regularly, the industry needs to keep up with the demand and continually come up with new product ideas.
With core areas such as sales, marketing, information services, finance, research and development, and human resources, the industry offers a wide variety of career opportunities. Here are some of the roles that you may see in an FMCG company:
1. Procurement Analyst
The procurement analyst role involves the analysis and interpretation of technical data to better understand the expenses incurred by the different aspects of the business.
2. Sales Manager
Sales play a significant role in the FMCG industry. A sales manager is essential in growing the business by attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
3. Stock Control Manager
The stock manager role entails the proper distribution of stocks and monitoring stock levels to meet business targets.
World’s Largest FMCG Companies
The FMCG industry is composed of some of the most well-known brands worldwide; that’s why it is often a great career opportunity to work with such companies. As of 2017, here are the 10 biggest and most popular brand names, worldwide: (source)
Nestlé – $91.1 billion in revenues
Procter & Gamble – $64.5 billion
PepsiCo – $63.5 billion
Unilever – $60.5 billion
AB InBev – $56.4 billion
JBS – $49.6 billion
Tyson Foods – $38.2 billion
Coca-Cola – $35.4 billion
L’Oréal – $29.3 billion
Philip Morris – $28.7 billion
More Resources
Thank you for reading CFI’s guide to Fast-Moving Consumer Goods. To keep learning and developing your knowledge of financial analysis, we highly recommend the additional CFI resources below:
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