LONDON (Yosefardi) – Unilever Plc reported 8.7% underlying sales growth in emerging markets with volume growth of 4.8% in the 2013.
It reported underlying sales growth of 4.3% with volume growth of 2.5% for world wide market. However, turnover declined 3% to EUR49.8 billion.
Growth improved in quarter four of 2013 versus quarter three despite slowing market growth in many countries. Unilever saw a step up in growth in Russia, Turkey, China and Indonesia.
Australia rounded off the year with a fourth successive quarter of growth. Growth in other countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and South Africa remained below historical run rates as a result of the weaker markets.
Full year core operating margin was up 20bps driven by a significant improvement in gross margin partially offset by increased advertising and promotions. Overheads were higher due to the one-off benefit from property sales in 2012.