Nooyi fails to meet consumers


PepsiCo global chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi could not keep her date with the Indian consumer — something that's been on the agenda of the
beverage giant's board members who were in Mumbai for the firm's first board meeting in the country.

After two days of learning about local business flavour of the financial capital during the board meet, Nooyi failed to meet with consumers in and around Mumbai's marketplaces. Sources blamed the unseasonal shower for her change of plans and said she is likely to return to accomplish this mission. The board meet concluded on Friday. The rain left the 13-member global board to remain locked indoors. The board members made most of the situation by being present at back-to-back presentations.

"Some of the board members were categorical that they would visit Mumbai markets, take a walk around town and chat up with some distributors. That plan was scuppered, due to rain,'' said a source. The board was to take an in-depth look at how its business and product lines were evolving to address the varied and changing needs of Indian consumers. Nooyi had said that India was a priority market, which explains why PepsiCo chose India to hold its second board meeting outside US.