ITC Limited: From Cigarettes to Cookies — The Brand That’s in Every Indian Home

ITC Limited: From Cigarettes to Cookies — The Brand That’s in Every Indian Home

Have you ever tried a Sunfeast cookie, used Fiama shower gel, or written in a Classmate notebook?

Then you're already a part of ITC's family, even if you don't realize it.

And here's the twist: all of these daily items are manufactured by a firm that previously earned a fortune selling cigarettes.

Yes, you read correctly.

A company that began with smoke is now found in lunchboxes, bookcases, kitchens, and shopping bags throughout India. So, how did ITC Limited go from a tobacco behemoth to a reputable company in food, personal care, stationery, and sustainability?

Let us look into the story, which is full of surprises, clever movements, and questions that will leave you pondering.

From Smoke to Snacks: A Major Brand Reboot

Let's go back to 1910. ITC began as the Imperial Tobacco Company of India. For decades, it was all about cigarettes, with popular brands including Gold Flake, Classic, and Navy Cut.

However, times changed. People became more health-conscious, smoking lost its appeal, and tobacco became a competitive industry.

Did ITC go into a panic? Nope. It turned — magnificently.

Beginning with Aashirvaad Atta, the firm expanded into the food industry, concentrating on daily necessities. Aashirvaad became well-known because of its clean packaging and promise of quality. Then there were Sunfeast cookies, Yippee noodles, and Bingo! chips, and more.

Each product was original, appealing, and tailored to Indian preferences. ITC did not only sell food; it also sold confidence.

How does a company shift public perception so smoothly — from smoke to snacks?
 That’s not just branding. That's a long-term vision.

Mastering the Masses—One Category at a Time.

ITC did not stop with food. It expanded into: Classmate notebooks, a popular item in every school bag.

Fiama, Vivel & Engage: Turning Heads in Personal Care

Mangaldeep: bringing scent and religion together.

Yippee- ready-to-eat meals—for the modern, busy Indian

ITC has a superpower: it knows the Indian customer, including their preferences, habits, and goals. While others concentrated on cities, ITC established relationships with every type of Indian home.

Is it brand magic, or a masterclass in understanding the Indian mindset?

Either way, it worked.

E-Choupal: When Villages Received a Digital Upgrade

While we munched on Bingo chips in urban India, ITC discreetly launched e-Choupal, a rural India revolution.

This unique platform offered farmers access to:

Real-time market pricing.

Weather Updates

Farming Tips

Direct access to ITC for selling produce.

No intermediaries. There is no misinformation. It's just empowering.

And the outcome? Increased pay for farmers and higher quality for ITC's food brands.

Can a business actually flourish if it first helps others grow?

Or is that the only type of growth that truly lasts?

A Taste of Luxury—and Sustainability

You might not think so, but ITC is responsible for some of India's greatest luxury hotels, including ITC Maurya, ITC Grand Chola, and ITC Gardenia. These hotels are not only exquisite, but also among the greenest in the world.

From energy-efficient architecture to zero-waste kitchens, ITC's hotel business demonstrates that elegance and sustainability can coexist.

Would you select a hotel based on how environmentally friendly it is?

In a world concerned about climate change, perhaps it's time we did.

What's Up Next at ITC?

As India embraces health, technology, and sustainability, ITC is already a step ahead.

Here's what they are brewing:

Plant-based foods for healthy and mindful eating.

 Organic spices for conscious cooking.

 Digital grocery platforms target Gen Z and beyond.

Paperless, environmentally friendly packaging

ITC is not just reacting to trends; it is shaping them. It's keeping current, grounded, and relevant.

Can a 100-year-old firm still function as a startup?

ITC could be the finest example we have.

Final Thoughts: The Power Of Reinvention

From lighting cigarettes to lighting lives, ITC has gone a long way.

But what is most impressive? It just performed the job – quietly, regularly, and confidently.

This is not only a business tale. It's a narrative of reinvention, purpose, and possibilities.

When using a Classmate notepad or snacking on a Sunfeast cookie, consider asking: What exactly does it mean to actually evolve?

It did not only diversify; it reinvented itself. ITC's transformation from a single-category tobacco company to a behemoth that touches millions of people in a variety of ways is truly a case study that inspires generations.