Hindustan Lever (HLL) is planning to raise prices of some selected brands such as Surf Excel Blue, Lux and Lakme by the end of this year.

The company has decided to make a price increase on certain stock keeping units (SKUs) of Surf Excel Blue, Lux Pink, Lakme cosmetics and skincare range.

The industry pundits said that it would reflect in its performance for the current quarter.

Earlier, HLL had reported 14.2% growth in FMCG sales in last quarter that was the third quarter of the financial year.

It was ended September on 30, 2006. The company has five quarters left with no price increase.

HLL has planned to increase prices from the current calendar year. On the other hand, the analysts said that they do not see any pressure on HLL’s profitability despite heave in raw material costs.

With the price increase, Surf Excel Blue will become costlier by 3-4%. The maximum retail price (MRP) of Lux Pink will go up by one rupee on the 150 gm pack. The cost of Lakme Milk Moisturiser and Lakme Winter Care lotion will go up by some 20-23%.

According to the company spokesperson, the company still did not say anything on the price rise that is in the pipeline. He, however, confirmed that more price rise is expected to take place in the first quarter of the next financial year.

Currently, the FMCG companies are bearing the mounting pressure of input cost that is resulting in companies compelling themselves to price increases.

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