Overview
- Unilever reported 3.4% underlying sales growth for the first half of 2025, with operating profit down 4.8% to €5.8 billion due to higher brand investment and spin-off costs.
- The ice cream arm delivered 5.9% sales growth and is on track to list as The Magnum Ice Cream Company in mid-November, with Unilever retaining a 20% stake.
- Marketing investment rose to 15.5% of revenue in H1 as the company builds a dedicated marketing and sales machine behind its power brands.
- Fernando Fernandez has designated beauty and wellbeing along with personal care as core priorities, directing disproportionate investment into the United States and India and emphasizing premium and digital channels.
- A productivity programme is ahead of plan, targeting €650 million in savings by the end of 2025 and an additional €150 million in 2026 to support full-year sales growth guidance of 3–5% and stronger momentum in the second half.