For HUL, rural markets showing some signs of recovery: CMD Sanjiv Mehta

In a post-results interaction, Hindustan Unilever's CEO and MD, Sanjiv Mehta, explained the road ahead for the firm. Edited excerpts:

Commodity inflation is growing. Does that pose a challenge to your strategy of growing sales volumes?
 
I have been heading HUL for over four years now, and volatility is part of the game. Yes, crude oil has spiked to nearly $70 a barrel from $57 a barrel earlier. But our strategy has been to look at judicious price hikes whenever commodity inflation has grown. I don’t think we will deviate from this. Volume growth is something we will continue to keep our eyes on, and even if price hikes have to be considered, these will be effected after