Unilever CEO Polman Remains Upbeat About India's Consumer Goods Market

Unilever CEO Paul Polman said his company remains confident and optimistic about its business in India and market conditions in the country. Despite the number of setbacks faced by Unilever and other consumer goods companies in developing markets including India, Unilever intends to expand its investments in the country, Polman said during a media briefing at the Andheri headquarters of its Hindustan Unilever subsidiary. India is more stable than it was 20 years ago, Polman said, and the country’s consumer goods market has grown to almost Rs 2 lakh crore in total value, with the market growing 10–11 percent in the September 2013 quarter. HUL reported net sales grew almost 10 percent to Rs 6,747 crore and net profit rose 13.2 percent to Rs 914 crore during the period, supporting Polman’s optimism.