MAM
HUL’s notches up solid growth in quarter ended 30 June 2022
MUMBAI: The folks at Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) are in a celebratory mood. Reason: the FMCG multi-product major has announced shiny financial results for the quarter ended 30 June 2022, even though the economy is sailing through rough weather. The company’s turnover grew 19 per cent with underlying volume growth of 6 per cent. HUL continued to grow significantly ahead of the market, gaining value and volume market shares1. EBITDA margin at 23.2 per cent remained healthy despite unprecedented inflationary headwinds. Profit after tax before exceptional items (PAT bei) grew 17 per cent and profit after tax (PAT) grew 11 per cent.
Home care: Stellar performance continues
Home care delivered 30 per cent growth driven by strong performance in Fabric Wash and Household Care. Both categories grew in high double-digits with all parts of the portfolio performing well. Liquids and fabric sensations continued to outperform driven by effective market development actions. Calibrated price increases were taken across fabric wash and household care portfolios as input cost continue to inflate at significantly high levels. During the quarter Comfort Delicates was launched which is specially made for delicate clothes.
Beauty and personal care: Strong growth ahead of the market
Beauty & personal care growth of 17 per cent was broad based. Hair care grew in high double-digit led by strong performance in the premium portfolio. Soaps delivered price-led double-digit growth driven by strong performance in Lux, Dove and Pears. Skin care and color cosmetics delivered strong YoY growth on a soft base. Premium portfolio in skin care performed well and is significantly ahead of pre-Covid levels. Calibrated pricing actions were taken across the portfolio to offset the impact of record inflation in input costs. During the quarter, Tresemme’s hair care range ‘Pro Pure’, Baby Dove Derma Protect Baby Wash, Vaselines’s summer range of body moisturisers and Lakme’s Facial Foams were launched.
Foods and refreshment: Steady performance on a high base comparator
Foods and refreshment grew 9 per cent driven by solid performance in ice-cream, coffee and food solutions. Ice cream had a very strong quarter broad based across brands and formats taking it significantly ahead of pre-COVID levels. Tea delivered steady performance and cemented its market leadership. Coffee had a strong quarter growing in double-digit. Health food drinks continued to gain market share and penetration on the back of focused market development actions. Foods grew in double-digit led by jams. Unilever Food Solutions delivered a solid performance and continued to build its salience with professional chefs.
Operating margins remain healthy
EBITDA margin at 23.2 per cent remained healthy despite the unprecedented inflation in input costs. YoY EBITDA margin declined 110 bps. PAT (bei) was up 17 per cent YoY. PAT at Rs 2,289 Crore was up 11 per cent YoY. The difference between PAT (bei) and PAT growth is largely due to a one-off prior period tax credit we had in base period. The company says it continues to manage “its business dynamically driving savings harder across all lines of P&L and taking calibrated pricing actions using the principles of net revenue management. It continues to invest competitively behind our brands. “
CEO & managing director Sanjiv Mehta said: : ‘In an environment which remains challenging, marked by unprecedented inflation and consequential impact on consumption, we have delivered yet another quarter of robust topline and bottom-line performance. We have grown competitively whilst protecting our business model by maintaining margins in a healthy range. While there are near term concerns around inflation, the recent softening of commodities, forecast of a normal monsoon, and monetary/ fiscal measures taken by the government augur well for the industry. We are confident of the medium to long term prospects of the Indian FMCG sector and remain focused on delivering a consistent, competitive, profitable and responsible growth. ‘
Brands
Kingfisher signs three-year IPL partnership
Packaged water brand signs on as ‘good times partner’ for 2026–28 cycle
MUMBAI: Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water is betting big on cricket’s biggest stage, sealing a three-year partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India to sharpen fan engagement at the TATA Indian Premier League.
The brand, owned by United Breweries, will serve as the official “good times partner” for the men’s IPL from 2026 to 2028, extending a relationship that began with the Women’s Premier League. The move signals a broader push to embed itself deeper into live sport, with a focus on immersive, consumer-led experiences rather than conventional sponsorship visibility.
At the heart of the tie-up is a suite of fan-first activations spanning broadcast, stadiums and digital channels. These include the “Kingfisher Bird Cam”, offering a branded spider-cam perspective during live matches, and the “Good Times Zone”, an in-stadium entertainment hub during play-offs aimed at amplifying match-day buzz. The brand will also back IPL fan parks, elevate public screening experiences and run digital contests tied to key moments through the season.
Vikram Bahl, chief marketing officer, United Breweries, said cricket in India “is more than a sport, it is a shared cultural moment”, adding that the IPL brings that energy alive at scale. “For Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water, being present at the heart of these moments, in partnership with the BCCI, is a natural extension of what we stand for. Through this association, we aim to enrich how fans experience the game… making every match more immersive, social and memorable,” Bahl said.
Devajit Saikia, honorary secretary, BCCI, said the IPL “has always been at the forefront of redefining sports entertainment and fan engagement”. He added that the collaboration would fuse cricket fandom with “innovative fan experiences that extend beyond the stadium”, helping create memorable moments for audiences nationwide.
For United Breweries, part of the HEINEKEN group, the play is clear: move from passive branding to active participation in the fan journey—on screens, in stands and across social spaces. With millions tuning in and turning up each season, the IPL remains the country’s most potent marketing theatre. The question now is whether “good times” can translate into lasting brand recall in a market where visibility is easy, but engagement is hard-won.
