Core Insights - Unilever is undergoing significant strategic transformation amid performance pressures, including layoffs, leadership changes, and divestitures [2][6] Financial Performance - For the first nine months of 2025, Unilever reported a revenue of €44.8 billion, a year-on-year decline of 3.3% [3] - All business segments experienced revenue declines, with the largest drop in home care at 5.3%, followed by ice cream at 4.2%, and beauty & health and food segments both around 3% [3] - In Q3, sales amounted to €14.7 billion, down 3.5% year-on-year, but underlying sales grew by 3.9% [3] - The European market showed a slight revenue increase of 1.9%, while the Americas faced the largest decline at 5.1% [3] Strategic Challenges - Unilever's revenue growth has been sluggish, with a mere 1.9% increase in FY2024 and a net profit decline for two consecutive years [4] - The company faces intense competition from rivals like Procter & Gamble and L'Oréal, alongside changing consumer preferences towards natural and organic products [4] - Rising raw material costs have further pressured profit margins [4] Reform Initiatives - CEO Fernando Fernandez has identified three key reform areas: eliminating inefficient businesses, focusing on high-margin growth sectors, and enhancing digital capabilities [4][6] - The company plans to cut approximately 7,500 jobs globally, representing about 5.9% of its workforce, to save around $800 million [6] Market Dynamics - In China, Unilever's basic sales returned to low single-digit growth in Q3, attributed to targeted marketing strategies and a premium product mix [4][5] - The domestic consumption stimulus policies have revitalized the market, providing a favorable environment for Unilever's products [5] Business Adjustments - Unilever has divested non-core beauty and personal care brands, including Elida Beauty and its ice cream business, to focus on more sustainable and growth-oriented segments [6][7] - The planned spin-off of the ice cream business is expected to be completed by Q4 2025, with anticipated improvements in operating profit margins [7]

Core Viewpoint - Unilever is undergoing significant organizational changes, including potential replacement of a quarter of its top 200 executives, driven by performance pressures and the need for transformation in a competitive market [2][3][5]. Group 1: Executive Changes - Unilever's new CEO, Fernando Fernandez, announced that up to 25% of the top 200 leaders may be replaced, indicating dissatisfaction with the current management team and a sense of urgency for future development [3][5]. - The company has been implementing extensive organizational and portfolio changes over the past two years, which Fernandez described as complex and fundamentally lagging [3][5]. - The adjustments aim to introduce fresh perspectives and enhance the company's competitiveness and innovation capabilities, although they may also lead to internal instability and affect employee morale [3][5]. Group 2: Workforce Reduction - Unilever plans to cut approximately 7,500 jobs globally over the next three years to save around $800 million, which represents about 5.9% of its total workforce [5]. - As of Q1 2023, around 6,000 positions have already been eliminated, primarily affecting white-collar workers [5]. - The layoffs are seen as a necessary measure to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and optimize resource allocation in response to performance pressures and market competition [5][6]. Group 3: Business Adjustments - Unilever has been divesting non-core businesses, including the sale of its ice cream division and various personal care brands, to focus on more promising areas [6][8]. - The company’s revenue has been stagnant, with sales remaining between €51 billion and €52 billion from 2018 to 2021, indicating a need for strategic realignment [7]. - In 2022, Unilever's revenue increased by 14.5% to €60.1 billion, largely due to price hikes, but net profit fell by 6.92% [7]. Group 4: Financial Performance - In 2023, Unilever reported revenue of €59.6 billion, a slight decrease from €60.07 billion in the previous year, and net profit also declined [7][8]. - The company anticipates a modest revenue growth of 3% to 5% for 2025, with a slight improvement in operating profit margin [7]. - The first half of 2025 showed a revenue drop of 3.2% to €30.1 billion, with net profit also declining [7][8]. Group 5: Market Challenges - Unilever faces intense competition from rivals like Procter & Gamble and L'Oréal, alongside changing consumer preferences towards natural and organic products [9]. - Rising costs due to increased raw material prices are squeezing profit margins, necessitating a multi-faceted transformation strategy [9]. - The company needs to optimize its product structure, strengthen brand value, enhance digital transformation, and increase R&D investment to innovate [9].