Market disruptors are often over-played, says HUL's Sanjiv Mehta

At an overall level, about 28% of the FMCG market is premium. Our aim would be to help consumers trade up, says HUL's Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Mehta

At a time when the domestic fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market is seeing the emergence of digital-only brands and start-ups, incumbents such as Hindustan Unilever (HUL) have to adapt to the new normal. HUL’s Chairman and Managing Director SANJIV MEHTA tells Viveat Susan Pinto and Niraj Bhatt that being agile and resilient will be key to its survival. Edited excerpts:
 
Gross domestic product growth in India has been weak, but HUL has managed to grow. What has been the source of this growth?
 
We brought focus on the ‘core of the core’. These are brands in categories that