HUL Hikes India Detergent Prices

Unilever is walking a tightrope in India, pushing up prices on detergents and home care staples like Surf Excel and Wheel while input costs soar—think crude oil, palm oil, and packaging. The company is betting that selectively raising prices and tweaking pack sizes can defend profits without driving shoppers to cheaper, regional brands. But with the festive season in full swing, the stakes are high: if rural shoppers cut back, Unilever’s volume-first strategy could unravel. All eyes are on Nielsen’s next report to see if this gamble holds.

Meanwhile, Unilever is doubling down on supply chain resilience and cost control worldwide. In Durban, a $6 million investment is expanding its Vaseline production hub, betting on efficiency but risking overdependence on a single site. In Nairobi, a new solar installation and biomass boilers are cutting both emissions and energy costs, offering a buffer against commodity swings and power outages. But here’s the catch: scaling up makes operations more efficient, but also more vulnerable to local disruptions like strikes or floods.

In North America, Degree is making a big NHL play, landing prime shelf space at Walmart and Kroger just as the holiday rush and hockey season collide. And with a major R&D center set to open in Connecticut—the largest Unilever’s ever built in the U.S.—the company is racing to speed up product launches and outmaneuver rivals like P&G’s Old Spice and Secret. Featuring insights from Herrish Patel and Stefan Cloete, and based on reporting from ET NOW and CBIA.

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