Muted consumption expected over some years, we must be patient: HUL CEO Rohit Jawa

HUL CEO Rohit Jawa

Trade

• Watchlist
• Portfolio
• Message
• Set Alert

 

 

Choose Stock Exchange: BSE LIVE NSE LIVE

26 Aug, 2025 12:21

Volume

Todays L/H

More

×

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) CEO and Managing Director Rohit Jawa said the company is looking at muted consumption over few of the upcoming years. While speaking to Business Standard, the executive added that the FMCG major must remain patient because the market would compound and the firm would have to play the long game.

HUL had reported its results for the fourth quarter of the financial year 2025 in the previous week. The FMCG major's consolidated net profit fell 3.7 percent YoY to Rs 2,464 crore. The company said that it expects gross margin to moderate further due to commodity inflation, and cost absorption measures to stay competitive.

During his recent interview with the news publication, Jawa said that one must look into the bigger picture and not just one quarter or one year alone. He added that all categories of HUL will grow by many folds over the next decade.

Jawa noted that private consumption should have been higher, although some recovery has been seen recently. Rural segment is showing strong resilience and is growing at higher rates than urban areas. Further, Jawa said that macroeconomic conditions can be favorable and hence, HUL will "play to win".

During his interview, Jawa said that the company has very healthy margins. He added that the firm's EBITDA margin of 22-23 percent places it among the top few firms in the CPG (consumer packaged goods) space. "It's a good, profitable business that will do well by growing faster," he said.

When asked if US President Donald Trump's tariffs posses a threat to HUL, the executive said the firm is a local-for-local business. The softening of crude oil amid the rising uncertainties will benefit the economy and consumers, thus in turn helping the firm, he added. Jawa further said that firm is working on revamping Horlicks, after Lifebuoy and Glow & Lovely.