European FMCG giant Unilever, the owner of brands including Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Dove and Hellmann’s, said its net profit in the first half of the year rose two per cent to 2.7 billion euros ($A4 billion) despite sales declining 2.6 per cent to 26.3 billion euros ($A39 billion) due to exchange rate fluctuations.
Unilever said that its underlying sales growth, which strips out the effect of factors such as currency changes, was a healthy 4.7 per cent despite tough economic conditions in its markets around the world.
“We have been preparing ourselves for tougher market conditions in 2016 and do not see any sign of an improving global economy,” said CEO Paul Polman.
This week, Unilever acquired Dollar Shave Club sharpening its rivalry with Procter and Gamble which owns shaving brand Gillette.
