HUL eyes food biz rejig after ice-cream split

Eyeing Sales Growth Nutrition portfolio to get a rejig by modernising Horlicks and taking Boost into more beverage spaces

- VIVEAT SUSAN PINTO

HINDUSTAN UNILEVER (HUL) is looking to revitalise its ₹15,294-crore foods business, its second-largest segment after home care, MD & CEO Rohit Jawa told FE.

The move comes as the country's largest consumer goods company sets out on the path of putting sales growth first over margins. It is also in the process of listing the ₹1,800-crore ice-cream business, whose demerger was approved by the board in January, in line with Unilever's strategy on the same. This is likely to be completed by the end of FY26.

On the cards as far as foods is concerned is a rejig of the nutrition portfolio by modernising Horlicks and taking Boost into more beverage spaces. Coffee, led by Bru, will be expanded geographically beyond the south and will be made more premium. Packaged food labels such as Kissan will be extended into the larger Indian cuisine space covering condiments, cooking aids and mini meals, Jawa said.