Unilever sales up 6.5% in 2011
Personal care helps drive positive performance
Unilever has reported turnover of €11.6bn in the fourth quarter of 2011. Excluding the effect of acquisitions, disposals and currency movements, the company’s underlying sales growth in the quarter was 6.6% while underlying volume growth amounted to 0.1%.
For the full year 2011, turnover was €46.5bn, underlying sales growth 6.5% and underlying volume growth 1.6%. Core earnings per share, meanwhile, were up 4% at €1.41.
“In 2011 we have made significant progress in the transformation of Unilever to a sustainable growth company despite difficult markets and an unusual number of significant external challenges,” commented ceo Paul Polman.
“Our overall performance was driven by our growth in emerging markets and the home care and personal care categories. We invested heavily in our brands and exit the year with positive momentum.”
