Markets will watch if HUL’s volume growth has recovered in the September quarter, a sure sign that trade channels have begun functioning normally and are taking on stock at levels that they used to. In the quarter ended June 2017, HUL had posted flat volume growth as its trade network had begun destocking during June anticipating the new tax in July. In an investor presentation, HUL chief executive Sanjiv Mehta had said that rural growth had yet to recover from demonetisation and trade channels were stabilizing “gradually”, Mint reported on 27 September. Finally, markets and consumer trend analysts will look for how HUL’s new “master” ayurvedic brand Lever Ayush has performed since it went national a few weeks ago. HUL’s efforts with Ayush are seen as a counter to Patanjali’s enormous success in the personal care market, HUL’s largest segment.

Source: Mint October 25, 2017 03:11 UTC