Brands
Hindustan Unilever lathers up growth in FY’25 with a five per cent profit shine
MUMBAI:Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has managed to keep its balance sheet gleaming, reporting a five per cent jump in profit after tax to Rs 10,644 crore for FY’25, even as topline growth remained modest at two per cent.
The year’s big soap opera? A slick pivot to premiumisation, digital demand drivers, and a hard scrub of its product portfolio.
For the March quarter (MQ’25), HUL clocked an underlying sales growth (USG) of 3 per cent, with volumes up two per cent. The FMCG major’s EBITDA margin stood at 23.1 per cent, slipping 30 basis points year-on-year, largely due to higher investments in innovation and future-facing channels. PAT for the quarter rose four per cent to Rs 2,497 crore.
The home care division sparkled, with mid-single digit volume growth buoyed by strong performance in fabric conditioners and a renewed push on premium liquids like Surf Excel Smart Shots. Liquids, in fact, are the brand’s current crush – the portfolio grew in double digits and is now being democratised with new formats and price points.
Beauty & wellbeing rose three per cent with hair care flexing double-digit volume muscle. Despite softness in mass skin care, the segment rode high on emerging channels and product launches like Liquid IV hydration sachets and summer-targeted sun care under Lakme and Vaseline.
The personal care vertical delivered three per cent USG despite a slight volume dip. Skin cleansing lathered up high-single digit growth in the non-hygiene segment, while Closeup ventured into whitening territory with its ‘White Now’ range. Lifebuoy took centre stage at the Maha Kumbh with a refreshed ‘skin protection’ pitch.
Food sales slipped one per cent, thanks to a drag in nutrition drinks, still reeling from pricing resets and category challenges. But there was flavour elsewhere – tea and coffee brewed growth, while ice cream melted hearts with double-digit volume gains and indulgent launches like Magnum Pistachio.
CEO Rohit Jawa highlighted a year of “competitive performance” driven by “portfolio transformation, premiumisation and digital-first growth”. Big moves included the Minimalist acquisition, Pureit exit, and ice cream demerger approval. HUL also declared a hefty Rs 53 per share dividend (including a special Rs 10) – a total payout of Rs 12,453 crore.
Looking ahead, the company expects demand to warm up in FY’26. With commodities stabilising, HUL is betting on low-single digit price growth and a volume-led playbook to deliver double-digit EPS growth.
While volume may not have exploded, HUL’s strategic polish, from digital detours to premium suds, helped it stay competitive, confident, and cash-rich. Not bad for a company that just turned 90.
Brands
EcoMedia Solutions launches EcoMeter to track carbon impact in media
New tool aims to bring real data and accountability to ads and events
GURUGRAM: EcoMedia Solutions has rolled out EcoMeter, a new solution designed to bring sharper carbon accountability to advertising, media, marketing and events.
Built on its proprietary EMS platform, EcoMeter aims to help brands and agencies measure the environmental impact of campaigns and on-ground activations using real-world data rather than broad estimates.
The move comes as sustainability gains traction across boardrooms, even as measurement within the advertising ecosystem remains patchy and often reliant on spend-based assumptions. EcoMeter attempts to change that by using localised emission factors and activity-based inputs, offering a more grounded view of carbon output.
“Today, most carbon calculations in our industry are derived from spends or broad averages. That does not reflect what is actually happening on the ground,” said EcoMedia Solutions founder & CEO Rumjhum Gupta. She added that the tool factors in variables such as location, execution and materials to deliver a more accurate picture.
The platform allows users to compare media choices based on environmental impact, plan lower-carbon campaigns and generate data-backed ESG and BRSR reports. It spans formats including OOH, DOOH, print, digital and live events, bringing sustainability into the same decision-making framework as cost and performance.
EcoMedia Solutions says the larger goal is to move the industry beyond surface-level sustainability claims towards measurable action. As scrutiny from consumers, investors and regulators intensifies, tools like EcoMeter could play a key role in helping brands back intent with credible data.
With this launch, the company is betting that the next big metric in advertising will not just be reach or ROI, but impact that can be counted in carbon.
