Sales at consumer goods group Unilever grew by 6.9% after increased demand from Asia.
An 11.4% increase in sales throughout the emerging markets means that China, India and other growing economies now account for over 55% of Unilever’s turnover.
Turnover exceeded €50 billion, a 10.5% increase to €51.3 billion, with double-digit growth in emerging markets propelling the company on its plan to double the size of Unilever to €80 billion company.
The company increased advertising and promotions spend by €470 million, to push support for its wide-ranging brands, such as Tresemmé and Dove shampoo and body washes, ice creams Magnum and Cornetto and cleaning products including Cif and Domestos.
Unilever’s CEO Paul Polman said that the company’s growth was down to “progress made in delivering bigger, better innovations and rolling them out faster.”
Mr Polman warned of continuing “volatile commodity costs,” which it offset by increasing prices this year.
Aside from the BRIC nations, Unilever experienced strong growth in Indonesia, Thailand and Pakistan.
