Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Hindustan Unilever sales rise 15% as inflation clouds demand outlook
Hindustan Unilever's turnover rose 15% to ₹18,071 crore in the three months to September, its strongest underlying sales growth in 14 quarters.
Sales volumes grew 7% despite price increases of about 7.5%, while the company's net profit was flat at ₹2,796 crore.
HUL is India's largest consumer goods maker, and its sales are seen as a measure of how consumers are spending.
Sales were positive in urban and rural markets, with rural demand improving from the previous quarter.
But inflation and uneven monsoon rains threaten rural incomes, and the company said rural wages remain a concern.
Government increases to minimum support prices and rural spending may help cushion some of that pressure.
HUL expects demand to remain resilient, but says inflation and rural challenges could affect the wider recovery in the coming months.
Hindustan Unilever reported turnover of ₹18,071 crore for the September quarter, up 15% and its strongest underlying sales growth in 14 quarters.
Underlying volume growth was 7%, despite price increases of about 7.5%.
Homecare sales grew 22%, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 8% to ₹4,089 crore.
Net profit was flat at ₹2,796 crore.
The company said inflation and rural stress could challenge demand, with below-normal monsoon rains threatening agricultural output and incomes in some regions.
- Who
- Hindustan Unilever (HUL), India’s largest consumer goods maker.
- What
- Turnover rose 15% to ₹18,071 crore, while underlying volume growth was 7%.
- When
- The results cover the September quarter; the article was published on 29 October 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The company reported strong sales growth, while warning that inflation and rural stress could affect the pace of consumption recovery.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
HUL recorded turnover of ₹18,071 crore and underlying volume growth of 7%.
The Economic Times published its report on HUL’s results and demand outlook.
- Turnover
- ₹18,071 crore
- Turnover growth
- 15%
- Underlying volume growth
- 7%
- Price increases
- About 7.5%
- Homecare sales growth
- 22%
- EBITDA
- ₹4,089 crore, up 8%
What people are saying
The fact that there is volume momentum while we are taking price increases is a very good sign for overall demand
The question is of wages, and really what happens to rural wages?
inflation is the key challenge that you know everyone's looking at.
Our performance in India is boosted by significant share gains in our main categories, particularly in beauty laundry that are our two largest categories there.