Unilever PLC announced its results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011.
Turnover was €12.1 billion in the third quarter and €34.9 billion at nine months
Underlying sales growth was 7.8 percent in the third quarter and 6.5 percent at nine months
Underlying volume growth was 1.9 percent in the third quarter and 2.1 percent at nine months.
Emerging markets were up 13.1 percent in the third quarter and strong growth was reported across all categories, in particular personal care at 11.3 percent.
A strongly positive contribution to turnover growth, of 2.2 percent in the quarter, came from bolt-on acquisitions with the integration of the Sara Lee body care and Alberto Culver businesses largely complete.
The recently announced acquisition of Concern Kalina – the leading local personal care company in Russia – will significantly strengthen the business in this important market.
Commenting on the results, CEO Paul Polman said in a prepared statement: “I am pleased to report another good quarterly performance, with particularly strong growth in personal care and the emerging markets, reinforcing our position as the emerging markets consumer goods company.
“Growth was strong across all categories and helped by technology-based innovation, now routinely rolled out quickly to multiple markets. In addition we are increasingly driving the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan as an integral part of the way we do business.”
