28 February 2020 Demand is yet to pick up after weakening in the December quarter for both the company and the sector. Sales growth in many of HMNs key categories has been impacted in recent years due to rural slowdown (52% rural dependency), liquidity crunch (~40% wholesale contribution) and category growth issue (majorly problem-solving portfolio and not everyday use products with the former getting affected more in a weak demand situation). Demand environment remains bleak, similar to the December quarter when things had worsened sequentially and YoY for both Management appeared hopeful in the third-quarter post results call that up-stocking will happen in products like Navratna oil ahead of the summer season (usually begins in mid- Feb). However, even toward end-February, sales have not picked up owing to extended winter in several parts of the country. The problem solving nature of HMNs products and not everyday use has also affected offtake in a weak demand environment.