Unilever credits marketing investment for growth

Unilever says increased marketing spend in growing emerging markets helped lift sales in the second quarter, offsetting “sluggish” growth in Europe and the US.

Lynx

The Dove and Lynx maker says revenue increased 5.8% in the three months to 30 June. At 11%, emerging market income outpaced Europe on 1.1% and North America on 3.3%.

The company credited investment in brand-building and product innovation for the revenue growth. The level of advertising and promotion spend increased by 10 percentage points in the period, it says.

Paul Polman, chief executive of Unilever, says: “Despite deteriorating global economic conditions and a competitive environment which remains intense, we again delivered volume growth ahead of our markets and gained value share across the majority of our business.

“Our performance reflects continued investment in innovation, brand-building and people, whilst keeping discipline on both costs and execution.”

Dove, which the company says now has a turnover in excess of £3bn, and Magnum, “well on its way to becoming a £1bn brand”, were signalled out as strong performers in the period.

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