Unilever to replicate successful Indian model globally

Consumer goods major Hind Unilever is upbeat on its Indian business model and is planning to try it elsewhere as well, Paul Polman, Unilever CEO told a press meet at Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai.

''I am a realistic optimist. We have not yet seen the bottom of the recession and I think recessionary trends will continue for the next 24 months or more. I hope I am wrong, but it is better to be prepared.'' said Polman.

Revisiting India to complete an unfinished meal at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, where terrorist had taken over on 28 November, Polman said he aims to take the innovations from its Indian operations to other markets where Unilever operates.

''Consumers postpone buying cars, televisions and that frees up a lot of money to spend on everyday needs. We don't see personal care or food markets go down substantially,'' said Polman,

''We are fortunate, that India, Indonesia and South Africa are growing at 5-6 per cent,'' he said, adding that when he set a target on how HUL could double its turnover, the company's executives had appeared unfazed. ''Obviously the population helps,'' he quipped. ''We are in an industry that drives the economy. We put a little bit of powder in a box and a little bit of liquid in a bottle and we sell it to improve the lives of people a little bit more.''

Polman said a company like Unilever is more focused than retailers: Unilever is present in 11 product categories unlike retailers such as Wal-Mart that dabble in at least 100,000 categories.