Question

Choose an MNC other than Proctor and Gamble or Coke that sells the same products to different countries, including the United States. Go to the MNC website marketplace in the United States and the MNC website marketplace in another country and compare similar products. Compare and contrast branding, product presentation, and pricing on both websites. Access a currency exchange calculator through the Internet if necessary to understand pricing fluctuations.  

Answer 1

For the purpose of this case study or assignment, the MNC or transnational company 'Colgate-Palmolive' has been selected to research and answer a few questions. We further compare the Colgate-Palmolive website in the USA and in India:

Colgate-Palmolive is an American MNC consumer products company headquartered in Manhattan, New York City and specializes in the production, distribution and provision of household, health care, personal care and veterinary products.

If one were to compare the brands owned and sold by Colgate-Palmolive in the USA and in India, one were to find several differences between the brands in the US market which are not present in the Indian market.

These brands of Colgate-Palmolive which are made and sold in the USA, for example, Gard, Sorriso, Suavitel, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Murphy, Tom's, Meridol, Irish Spring, Pinho Sol, Fleecy, Tahiti, Ajax, Softlan, Elmex, Fabuloso, Tender Care, Soupline, Brite, Cuddly, Fluffy, Softlan, Afta, Protex, Hill's, Sanex and Softsoap are not introduced and sold in India.

Colgate-Palmolive has focused mainly on its Colgate and Palmolive brands in India and which they are famous for. Colgate is the leading oral hygiene care brand in india in the toothpastes, mouthwashes, toothbrushes categories. In India, Colgate has tried to be as culturally connected as possible incorporating the Vedas into ayurveda, ayush and herbal brands in their toothpaste ranges offering toothpastes like Swarna Vedhshakti, Colgate Salt, Colgate Salt Neem, Colgate Herbal, and even offering a tooth powder to replicate what was used in the ancient times in India and which aren't present in the US.

Likewise, there are several toothpastes such as Hempseed oil which aren't sold in India.

The common Colgate toothpastes to both countries would be Colgate MaxFresh, Colgate Total, Colgate Sensitive and Colgate Whitening.

Pricing of products is not mentioned on Indian websites as companies prefer to leave it to suspense and create an artificial demand for products making customers walk in to their retails outlets/grocery stores or order it on the phone or online/apps through home delivery. Thus, a price comparison wouldn't be possible.