Household budgets are set to feel the impact of another round of price increases, with Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) raising the maximum retail prices of several products across its home care segment. Popular detergent brands Surf Excel, Rin and Wheel have become costlier, with hikes of up to 11 per cent across selected pack sizes.
The revised prices vary depending on the product and quantity, with consumers facing increases ranging from Re 1 to Rs 10. Surf Excel Quick Wash has recorded a Rs 10 increase on its 1 kg pack, which now costs Rs 245 instead of Rs 235. Its 500 gm variant has also become more expensive, with the price moving from Rs 123 to Rs 128.
Among other Surf Excel products, the 1 kg Easy Wash pack is now priced at Rs 172, compared with Rs 167 earlier. The 500 gm pack has increased by Rs 2 to Rs 87. The 250 gm detergent bar now costs Rs 45 after a Rs 3 revision, while the four-bar pack, containing 200 gm bars, has seen its price rise by Rs 10 to Rs 155.
Rin products have also been included in the latest revision. The MRP of Rin Ala 500 ml has gone up by Rs 5 to Rs 95. The 1 kg Rin detergent powder pack now costs Rs 123 following a Rs 3 increase, while the 500 gm variant has risen by Rs 2 to Rs 63.
Wheel consumers will also have to pay more. HUL has increased the price of its 1 kg detergent powder pack by Rs 3 to Rs 93. The 500 gm pack, which earlier cost Rs 46, is now priced at Rs 47.
The changes extend beyond the detergent category. HUL has raised the price of its Moti Gulab soap in the 150 gm size from Rs 74 to Rs 82, marking an increase of Rs 8, or more than 10 per cent.
The latest price adjustments come against the backdrop of rising commodity and input costs affecting the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. HUL Managing Director and CEO Priya Nair had said last month that the company would continue to take measured price increases in response to changes in input costs. She also noted that elevated commodity inflation remained a challenge even as consumer demand continued to show resilience.
With manufacturers facing pressure to manage production costs and protect margins, price revisions have become an important part of the FMCG industry’s strategy. Companies are attempting to balance higher input expenses with the need to maintain sales volumes in a competitive market, leaving consumers to bear some of the impact through higher product prices.