FMCG Unilever posted a turnover increase of 10% in 2015, according to the company’s latest full year financial statements.
Total sales for the year rose to €53.3 billion including a positive currency impact of 5.9%. The company also reported underlying sales growth of 4.1% “ahead of our markets”, with volume up by 2.1% and value up by 1.9%. The company reported especially strong growth in emerging markets, with underlying sales rising by 7.1%, and also said that Europe had seen a “return to growth”. However performance in Asia/AMET/RUB was described as “mixed”.
Commenting on the results, Unilever CEO Paul Polman said: “Despite a challenging year with slower global economic growth, intensifying geopolitical instability, and high currency and commodity volatility we have again grown ahead of our markets, driven by our innovations and increased support behind our brands. The 2015 results further demonstrate the progress we have made in transforming Unilever into a more resilient business, capable of consistently delivering competitive underlying sales growth, margin expansion and strong cash flow”.
“This consistency of performance shows that our focus to build Unilever for the long term is paying off. We are starting to see the results from sharpened category strategies that guide increased investment in our brands, our infrastructure and our people as well as extensions into attractive new markets like Prestige Personal Care”.
Source: Unilever