London – In the future, Unilever will prioritize the products for beauty, well -being and body care, said the new managing director Fernando Fernando Fernando as a consumer giant and parent of brands such as Dove, K18 and Nutrafole in the first half underlying sales growth of 3.4 percent.
“With a view to the future, our priorities are clear: more beauty and well-being and personal care; disproportionate investments in the USA and India as well as a stricter focus on premium segments and digital trade,” said Fernandez in Unileever’s first half.
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“We are building a marketing and sales machine that drives the desire in our electricity brands to a large extent and ensures the excellence for the execution of all channels in order to achieve a consistent volume growth and the gross marge expansion,” added the CEO.
In the first half, the underlying turnover of Unilever amounted to 30.1 billion euros, whereby the growth of 3.4 percent is slightly higher than the expectations of the analysts.
In the case of reported Exchange, sales decreased by 3.2 percent due to the effects of derivations and a negative impact on the currency, the company said.
The underlying operating profit decreased in the six months to June 30 by 4.8 percent to 5.8 billion euros due to strong comparisons with the corresponding period of the previous year, the company said.
In the second quarter, the underlying sales growth accelerated 3.8 percent to 15.4 billion euros. On a registered basis, sales decreased by 4.6 percent in the three months.
The improvement of sales in the second quarter was due to the outperformance in the developed markets and the positive effects of “decisive interventions” in emerging countries, said Fernandez, who took over the top job at the beginning of this year after the abrupt departure of its predecessor Hein Schumacher.
The Unilever shares rose on Thursday, July 31, at 10:30 a.m. at 10:30 a.m. at 10:30 a.m.
Fernandez believes that the service in the first half positions the company well for the entire year. “In the second half, we expect further acceleration in emerging countries, especially in Asia, and a persistent dynamic in the developed markets,” he said.
Unilevers Beauty and Wellbeing Division led 21 percent of group sales in the first half, whereby sales rose by 3.7 percent. About 1.7 percent came from the volume, 2 percent came from the price.
The growth of the department was led by “continued dynamics” in well -being, some of which was compensated for by the “subdued” growth of beauty, the company said.
The sales of hair care were flat within the division. The DOVE products were supported with the mid-single dial, supported by a “significant relaunch” with fiber repair technology and updated packaging.
The core skin care provided a long -term growth with a low sense, whereby the performance between brands and markets was different. According to Unilever, Vaseline and Dove grew in the two -digit “supported innovations and strong execution”.
This growth was partially compensated for by declines in China and Indonesia, where Unilever “reset” the business.
The well -being organized a strong double -digit growth in the 21st quarter in a row, whereby the performance of Liquid Ivand Nutrafol was listed. According to Unilever, both brands expanded the budget penetration and provided successful several years of innovations such as the sugar -free platform from Liquid IV.
Prestige Beauty was flat when the market was steamed. HOURGLASS, TATCHA and K18 continued to grow in the double -digit digits, while Paula’s selection and Dermalogica decreased.
The underlying operating profit of the prestigious beauty was 1.3 billion euros, which corresponds to a decrease of 3.7 percent compared to the previous year, since the company increased brand and marketing investments for important innovations and market development.
The company said that its three priorities in relation to beauty and well -being stimulate the core portfolios of hair and skin care by emphasizing the “superiority of the brands”; Promotion of the growth of the prestigious beauty and wellbeing portfolio with a “selective” international expansion; And further to strengthen to strengthen competitiveness “through innovation and a social approach to the commitment of consumers”.
As part of his growth drive in beauty and well -being, Unilever opened his first US fragrance laboratory on July 23 in Unileever’s Trumbull, Connecticut Research & Development Facility.
The laboratory is previously part of Unilevers with 100 million euros in global investment to increase its internal fragrance functions. In the United States, it is planning to bring top perfumes, scientists and developers together in a digital, collaborative space in order to accelerate the creation of “unique fragrance experiences”.
In the first half, sales in Unilevers personal care department, which corresponds to 22 percent of group sales, rose by 4.8 percent, with 1.4 percent of volume and 3.3 percent of the price. Dove Body deodorants and skin cleaning products drove with a zipped number in the six -month period.
Unilever added that his productivity program with 650 million euros, which was expected by the end of 2025, was in front of the plan, while his ice cream-de-merger is on the right track.
The public list of the Magnum Ice Cream Company, a newly shaped company, is planned for London and New York in Amsterdam in mid -November.
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