As part of its plan to increase brand awareness and strengthen its product portfolio, Avon India has announced it will launch 650 new products this year while also intensifying marketing and advertisind campaigns. "Last year, we launched around 450 products. This year, we will launch 650 across all the categories taking the total number of products sold in India to 1,000," said Avon India Managing Director Hemant Singh.

The company also looks to increase brand awareness in the giant South Asian market. Avon is currently seeking further celebrity endorsements and plans to roll out a TV commercial campaign by next year.

Apart from its usual cosmetics and beauty products, Avon is now also placing larger emphasis on its jewellery segment: "Jewellery contributes about 15 per cent to our revenue at present. Until now we have been selling global jewellery range here, but it is for the first time we are launching a modern Indian collection," Singh said.

Avon has been present in India for the last 15 years. According to recent company statistics, its business in India is currently recording annual growth rates of 65 per cent.