Near-term margin pressure to continue as HUL aims at volume growth

The company took calibrated price hikes to improve market share

There has been an uptick in the December quarter (Q3), after muted performances over the three previous quarters, with volume and value growth at 4-7 per cent. This was led by beauty and personal care as well as food and refreshment segments, while the fabric wash within the home care segment remained a drag. 

Though growth did pick up sequentially, the company expects this segment to enter positive territory as travel picks up. Household care, which includes new launches like Nature Protect and Vim Matic (dishwasher), posted the second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. 

In its largest segment of beauty and personal