Dove, Vaseline, Unilever Wellness Brands Post Double-digit Gains in 2025

Core Insights - Unilever's beauty and well-being division outperformed the overall company growth in 2025, with underlying sales increasing by 4.3% to 12.8 billion euros, driven by both volume and price growth [1] - The beauty and well-being segment contributed 25% to Unilever's total turnover, with an underlying operating profit of 2.5 billion euros, reflecting a 3.2% year-on-year decline [2] - Overall, Unilever's underlying sales rose by 3.5% to 50.5 billion euros, primarily due to higher prices, with power brands like Dove and Vaseline accounting for 78% of turnover [3] Financial Performance - The beauty and well-being division's growth was supported by double-digit increases in wellness products, Vaseline, and Dove, while prestige beauty and core skin care experienced low-to-mid single-digit growth [1] - The underlying operating margin for the beauty and well-being division decreased to 19.2%, impacted by a slight decline in gross margins and increased brand and marketing investments [2] - Unilever's power brands achieved a 4.3% underlying sales growth, primarily driven by volume, highlighting their significance in the company's overall performance [3] Strategic Initiatives - CEO Fernando Fernandez emphasized Unilever's transformation into a "simpler, sharper and faster company," focusing on volume growth, positive mix, and strong gross margins [4] - The company is prioritizing growth in beauty, well-being, and personal care, with a focus on premium segments and digital commerce, particularly in the U.S. and India [4] - Unilever plans to streamline operations by cutting 7,500 office-based roles globally, aiming for total cost savings of around 800 million euros between 2024 and 2027 [5]