Unilever Reports Good Growth in Third Quarter 2012

Despite continued high levels of competitive intensity, depressed economies and increasing global imbalances and uncertainty, we saw solid growth with a good balance between volume and price.

25 Oct 2012 --- Unilever released its results for the third quarter 2012. Once again, good quality growth, with volumes ahead of our markets, shows that Unilever’s transformation to a sustainable growth company is well on track and is being embedded deeply in the business.

Third quarter highlights:

- Turnover increased by 10.3% to €13.4 billion with a positive impact of 4.1% from FX and 0.1% from M&A

- Underlying sales growth 5.9% with emerging markets up 12.1%

- Underlying volume growth 3.4% ahead of our markets; pricing up 2.4%

Nine months highlights:

- Turnover increased by 11.1% to €38.8 billion with a positive impact of 2.6% from FX and 1.5% from M&A

- Underlying sales growth 6.6% with emerging markets up 11.7%

- Underlying volume growth 3.0% ahead of our markets; pricing up 3.5%

Despite continued high levels of competitive intensity, depressed economies and increasing global imbalances and uncertainty, we saw solid growth with a good balance between volume and price. Our emerging markets businesses delivered another quarter of double-digit growth, taking year to date growth to 11.7%. Developed markets declined in the quarter but are up 0.8% year to date.

Commenting on the results, CEO Paul Polman said: “The Compass strategy and the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan are driving aligned actions across the business. We are seeing a steady improvement in the quality of our innovation, meeting the needs of consumers wherever they are. The organisational structure that we announced last year is already paying off and we are seeing benefits in terms of our agility and discipline in operational execution.”
Personal Care

Hair performance reflected the success of a strong programme of activities across the brands. TREsemmé did well in its traditional markets, made strong headway in Brazil and has recently been launched in Indonesia and India. The Clear launch in the US is performing well and the brand is also making inroads into other new markets such as Australia. Dove Damage Therapy continues to drive growth across many markets and Dove Men+Care hair was launched in Brazil. Axe hair has established a good platform in Europe and was launched in Turkey.

Deodorants grew ahead of our markets with a broad-based, good performance across the key brands and geographies.  Dove continued to deliver strong growth and Rexona was underpinned by the extension of the MotionSense technology to Rexona for Men. Axe benefited from strong digital campaigns and Axe Anarchy continues to do well.

Dove continues to drive skin cleansing growth with the continuing success of Dove Nutrium Moisture and Dove Men+Care. Lifebuoy is progressing well driven by the ‘10 seconds germ-removal’ hand wash campaign supporting the launch of Lifebuoy Clini-Care 10 in India and South Africa. Both Radox and Duschdas, brands acquired from Sara Lee, are performing well. In skin care, Vaseline Daily Care Total Moisture maintained good momentum whilst a Dove Men+Care face range was launched in the UK. The acquired Kalina brands in Russia performed strongly.

Oral improved its growth rate in the third quarter driven by the roll-out of Expert Protection in Signal/Pepsodent, and ‘3x fresher breath’ proposition for Close Up. Pepsodent 123 was launched in Indonesia and Vietnam and we launched Pepsodent in South Africa.
Foods

Overall Foods growth was slightly negative. Knorr jelly bouillon continues to do well in savoury, with the recent extension to markets such as Australia and Russia and the introduction of new variants such as Herbs & Spices in Germany and Borsch Soup in Russia. Knorr baking bags have gained share in most key countries. During the third quarter we launched our first soup made from 100% sustainable tomatoes in France.

Spreads volumes suffered from high relative pricing in key markets but we have already taken action in some markets to ensure that our prices are competitive and our volume market shares are improving as a result. Liquid margarines continue to do well and Becel Gold, a premium variant offering a healthy spread with a great creamy taste was launched in Europe. Hellmann’s mayonnaise is progressing well driven by the campaign to inspire new uses of mayonnaise and the 50th anniversary campaign in Brazil.
Home Care

Strong growth in laundry reflected volume growth ahead of our markets. This includes the impact of improved product formulations, sustained innovation delivery and effective brand communication. New Omo offering fast stain removal has now been rolled out to more than 20 markets and is performing well. Surf growth was driven by improved fragrances and its value for money positioning. Comfort is building on the success of recent launches in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa whilst Comfort Anti-Bacterial was launched in Indonesia and Vietnam.

Household cleaners delivered double-digit growth driven by a strong Sunlight hand dishwash performance in South and South East Asia supported by the improved degreasing formulation. Domestos continued to deliver robust growth benefiting from the launches in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf and Argentina, the successful Toilet System advertising in Europe and the joint promotion with UNICEF to improve access to sanitation across nine countries. Cif Power Naturals was launched in Turkey and Cif Cream pouches were introduced in South East Asia to provide Cif cleaning performance at an affordable unit price.
Refreshment

Ice cream delivered strong growth, with positive volume and price. Magnum growth accelerated as the brand was successfully launched in the Philippines and Malaysia and it continues to do well in the US and Indonesia. Magnum Infinity has been rolled out across Europe, Turkey, Mexico and Australia. Cornetto also had a good quarter, driven by growth in Asia, and Ben & Jerry’s benefited from the Greek Frozen Yogurt launch in North America and Core Concoctions in Europe.

Beverages growth improved in the third quarter but still lags market growth. Lipton delivered double-digit growth in the Middle East and the relaunch of Lipton Yellow Label in Russia with improved taste is doing well and is now being rolled out to Poland. Growth in India was underpinned by a strong performance of Brooke Bond. Ades soy-based drinks continued to make good progress in Latin America with successful new flavours supported by impactful advertising.