TIDMULVR TIDM0NXN
RNS Number : 1153X
Unilever PLC
17 December 2019
UNILEVER SALES UPDATE
London / Rotterdam 17 December 2019. Unilever today announces
that it expects underlying sales growth for 2019 to be slightly
below its guidance of the lower half of its 3-5% multi-year
range.
This is a result of challenges in the quarter in some markets,
including the economic slowdown in South Asia, one of Unilever's
largest markets, and trading conditions in West Africa remaining
difficult. The trading environment in developed markets continues
to be challenging and while there are early signs of improving
performance in North America, a full recovery there will take
time.
Earnings, margin and cash are not expected to be impacted.
Alan Jope, Chief Executive Officer: "Due to challenges in
certain markets, we expect a slight miss to our full year
underlying sales growth delivery.
"Looking ahead to 2020, growth will be second-half weighted.
While we expect improvement in H1 2020 versus this quarter, we
expect that first half growth will be below 3%. Our full year
underlying sales growth is expected to be in the lower half of the
multi-year range.
"Growth remains our top priority and we are confident we have
the right strategy and investment in place to step up our
performance."
ENDS
There will be a conference call held at 8am GMT on Tuesday 17th
2019:
UK Freefone: 0800 389 7473 / UK Direct: 01296 480 180
International direct: +44 1296 480 180
Global access numbers:
http://www.btconferencing.com/globalaccess/?bid=54_automated
Passcode: 661 502#
A replay will be available shortly after the call has
finished:
UK Freefone: 0800 032 9687 / UK Direct: 0207 136 9233
Replay global access:
http://www.conferencingsupport.com/globalaccess/?bid=00&itfn=1&ddi=1&ref
Passcode: 22130004
Investor enquiries
+44 20 7822 6830
investor.relations@unilever.com
Media enquiries
(UK) Lucila Zambrano +44 7825 273767 /
lucila.zambrano@unilever.com
(UK) Jonathan Sibun +44 7779 999683 /
JSibun@tulchangroup.com
(NL) Fleur van Bruggen +31 615 008293 /
fleur-van.bruggen@unilever.com
(NL) Els de Bruin +31 10 217 4844 /
els-de.bruin@unilever.com
About Unilever
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty &
Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products with
sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2.5 billion consumers a
day. It has 155,000 employees and generated sales of EUR51 billion
in 2018. Over half (60%) of the company's footprint is in
developing and emerging markets. Unilever has around 400 brands
found in homes all over the world, including Dove, Knorr, Dirt Is
Good, Rexona, Hellmann's, Lipton, Wall's, Lux, Magnum, Axe, Sunsilk
and Surf.
Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) underpins the
company's strategy and commits to:
-- Helping more than a billion people take action to improve
their health and well-being by 2020.
-- Halving the environmental impact of our products by 2030.
-- Enhancing the livelihoods of millions of people by 2020.
The USLP creates value by driving growth and trust, eliminating
costs and reducing risks. In 2018, the company's Sustainable Living
Brands grew 69% faster than the rest of the business, compared to
46% in 2017.
Since 2010 we have been taking action through the Unilever
Sustainable Living Plan to help more than a billion people improve
their health and well-being, halve our environmental footprint and
enhance the livelihoods of millions of people as we grow our
business. We have already made significant progress and continue to
expand our ambition - most recently committing to ensure 100% of
our plastic packaging is fully reusable, recyclable or compostable
by 2025. While there is still more to do, we are proud to have been
recognised in 2019 as a leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability
Index, and as the top ranked company in the
GlobeScan/SustainAbility Global Corporate Sustainability Leaders
survey, since 2011.
For more information about Unilever and its brands, please visit
www.unilever.com.
For more information on the USLP:
www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/
Safe Harbour
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements,
including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Words such as 'will', 'aim', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends',
'looks', 'believes', 'vision', or the negative of these terms and
other similar expressions of future performance or results, and
their negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current
expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and
other factors affecting the Unilever Group (the 'Group'). They are
not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future
performance.
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements. Among other risks and
uncertainties, the material or principal factors which could cause
actual results to differ materially are: Unilever's global brands
not meeting consumer preferences; Unilever's ability to innovate
and remain competitive; Unilever's investment choices in its
portfolio management; inability to find sustainable solutions to
support long-term growth including to plastic packaging; the effect
of climate change on Unilever's business; significant changes or
deterioration in customer relationships; the recruitment and
retention of talented employees; disruptions in our supply chain
and distribution; increases or volatility in the cost of raw
materials and commodities; the production of safe and high quality
products; secure and reliable IT infrastructure; execution of
acquisitions, divestitures and business transformation projects;
economic, social and political risks and natural disasters;
financial risks; failure to meet high and ethical standards; and
managing regulatory, tax and legal matters. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Except
as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release
publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations
with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based. Further details
of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are
described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange,
Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission,
including in the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2018 and the Unilever
Annual Report and Accounts 2018.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
MSCFFESMWFUSEIE
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December 17, 2019 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
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