Between 1 January and 31 March, Unilever’s overall sales dipped 0.9% to €14.8bn, but grew 3% on an underlying basis.
“We are conscious that the macroeconomic environment, currency stability and consumer sentiment remain uncertain and we will be agile in adjusting our plans as necessary,” said CEO Fernando Fernandez when discussing the sales results.
Fernandez, who was previously chief financial officer at the British multinational, stepped into the CEO role in February, when his predecessor Hein Schumacher stepped down.
Fernandez said there were “interventions in place” in some emerging markets to step up growth. He was optimistic about the quality of the company’s innovation programme, adding that “the strong investment behind our brands and our improving competitiveness give us confidence we will deliver on our full-year plans.”
Brand-wise, some of Unilever’s strongest performers were in the beauty sector, including Dove, Unilever’s largest brand, which grew more than 8% in the first three months, as well as Vaseline and Liquid I.V.
Sales for beauty & wellbeing brands
The Beauty & Wellbeing division grew by 4.1% on an underlying basis.
“Growth was driven by a strong Wellbeing performance, that was partially offset by a slower beauty market,” said the company.
Wellbeing delivered strong double-digit growth, led by Liquid I.V. and Nutrafol.
Hydration supplement Liquid I.V. continued to gain share in the digital channels.
Olly grew with double-digit volume, also driven by a strong performance in ecommerce.
Hair Care was flat with low-single digit price offset by a low-single digit volume decline.
Core Skin Care saw low-single digit growth, driven by low-single digit volume. Both Vaseline and Dove continued to grow in double-digits.
Prestige Beauty declined low-single digit reflecting the slowdown in the beauty market.
Hourglass and Tatcha continued to grow double-digit while Paula’s Choice and Dermalogica declined.
Premium biotech hair care brand K18, grew strong double-digit and it has been included in underlying sales growth from February 2025.
Sales for personal care
For Unilever’s Personal Care division, underlying sales grew by 5.1%.
Dove, which represents around 40% of Personal Care’s turnover, grew high-single digit with high-single digit volume and positive price.
“This growth was driven by the continued success and rollout of Dove’s serum shower collection and whole-body deodorants,” said Unilever.
Deodorants meanwhile, grew mid-single digit with balanced volume and price; Skin Cleansing grew by low-single digits, driven by positive volume and price; and Oral Care grew mid-single digit led by price.