From Financialexpress · Viveat Susan Pinto · · 1m 10s
HUL Focuses on Core Brands Amid Inflation Pressures
HUL maintains strong growth despite inflation with core brands driving demand.
In brief
HUL maintains strong growth despite inflation with core brands driving demand. HUL reported 7% volume growth and 15% sales growth in Q3 2026 while managing inflation through pricing and distribution. Originally reported by Financialexpress.
HUL Q3 Performance
HUL reported 7% underlying volume growth and 15% underlying sales growth in September quarter, its strongest in 18 quarters and 14 quarters respectively.
“The focus is to ensure that we do the right amount of pricing to cover costs, go behind savings, whether in procurement and supply chain efficiencies, so that we have the right balance between volume and price”
Inflation Impact
Commodity inflation reached 10% prompting price increases to protect profitability while volumes improved sequentially despite higher prices.
Pricing Strategy
HUL implemented 7.5% price hikes during the quarter with home care delivering double-digit volume growth and a 10% price increase.
Distribution Expansion
HUL added 30,000 stores during the quarter strengthening reach and assortment in general trade while investing in modern retail and digital channels.
Advertising Efficiency
Advertising and promotion spending fell 9.3% year-on-year to Rs 1,481 crore in September quarter from Rs 1,632 crore a year earlier.
Core Brands Strategy
Nine out of 10 Indian consumers use HUL brands with expansion into new categories like protein, chutneys and liquid detergents.
Future Outlook
HUL maintains medium-term Ebitda margin guidance of 22-24% while continuing to calibrate pricing and pursue cost savings.
The headline
HUL reported 7% volume growth and 15% sales growth in Q3 2026 while managing inflation through pricing and distribution.
