Unilever Reports Strong Q3 Performance Driven by Beauty Sales
Unilever Reports Strong Third Quarter Driven by Beauty Sales
Unilever has announced a remarkable third quarter, showcasing a 3.9% increase in sales, which reached an impressive €14.7 billion. This surge was primarily fueled by robust performances in its Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care divisions.
The Beauty & Wellbeing segment saw a notable 5.1% growth, while Personal Care followed closely with a 3.1% increase. Key products driving this success included Vaseline, Liquid I.V., Nutrafol, Hourglass, and K18. Unilever’s “power brands,” such as Dove, Rexona, and Sunsilk, played a pivotal role, contributing a staggering 78% of the company’s turnover for the quarter.
CEO Fernando Fernandez expressed optimism about the company’s performance, stating, “We continued to outperform in developed markets in the third quarter, led by our strong innovation programme. Following decisive interventions, we stepped up our emerging markets performance with a return to growth in Indonesia and China.” He emphasized that growth was broad-based across all business groups, largely driven by the success of their power brands.
While Unilever’s Hair Care division experienced flat growth, individual brand performances varied. Dove’s hair care line achieved double-digit growth, bolstered by the successful launch of its new fibre repair technology range. In contrast, Tresemme saw low single-digit growth, as increased momentum in styling and treatment ranges helped mitigate volume declines in the U.S. market.
The Skin Care division thrived, particularly with Vaseline, which enjoyed double-digit growth thanks to the popularity of its new Cloud Soft Light Moisturiser in India. Unilever’s Prestige Beauty segment also reported mid-single-digit growth, with brands like Hourglass and K18 contributing positively. Additionally, Paula’s Choice and Dermalogica rebounded after a challenging first half of the year.
Looking ahead, Fernandez revealed plans to complete the demerger of the ice cream business by year-end, aiming to create a more streamlined Unilever with a sharper focus and improved margin profile. “We are shaping a brand portfolio that is built for the future—prioritizing premium segments and digital commerce, and anchoring our growth in the U.S. and India,” he stated.
By placing “desire at scale” at the core of its strategy and executing with excellence across all channels, Unilever is positioning itself for continued success in the competitive beauty and personal care market.
