Unilever sales up 4.3% in 2013

Published: 22-Jan-2014
Finance

However, brand owner expects “ongoing volatility in the external environment” in 2014


Anglo-Dutch brand owner Unilever has announced encouraging underlying sales growth for the fourth quarter and full year 2013, at 4.1% and 4.3% respectively. Core operating margin for the full year was up 40bps at 14.1%, driven by gross margin up 110bps. The company also enjoyed 8.4% sales growth in emerging markets, driven by underlying volume growth of 5.3%. Sales in developed markets, on the other hand, dipped 1.7%, but within this both Unilever's Personal Care and Home Care businesses reported growth.

Commenting on its Personal Care segment, the company said that hair care growth in the quarter was underpinned by strong performances from its Dove, TRESemmé, Sunsilk and Clear brands. Growth in skin cleansing, meanwhile, was driven by Dove Nutrium Moisture shower gels, including the Purely Pampering range, and in skin care Vaseline Spray and Go continued to grow strongly. And deodorants grew ahead of Unilever's markets thanks to the success of the Rexona 'Do:More' campaign and the MotionSense technology now available in both male and female versions.

Commenting on the results, CEO Paul Polman said: “We have delivered another year of consistent underlying sales growth and margin expansion coupled with strong cash flow. This has been achieved despite significant economic headwinds and highly competitive markets and reflects the benefits of strong margin accretive innovations and active cost management.

“Looking forward, we anticipate ongoing volatility in the external environment and are positioning Unilever accordingly. Although the investments we have made over the last five years ensure that we are well placed, we are determined to make Unilever even more agile and to fund further growth opportunities by driving out complexity and cost.”

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