At Unilever we look to the future and what the consumer of tomorrow will need.
This has inevitably drawn us to increase our business in emerging markets where
population and consumption growth offer attractive opportunities. In 2014, 57% of
our turnover was generated in emerging markets.
These markets also bring challenges. Performance can prove volatile as witnessed
in 2014. Economies have slowed and exchange rates have weakened leading to a
reduction in consumer spending.
That said, over time emerging markets have delivered Unilever a source of remarkably
consistent growth. Over the past five years, emerging markets have generated
underlying sales growth averaging 9% a year.
These markets are also among the most sensitive to environmental and social
pressures brought about by growth in population and consumption and the activities
of companies such as Unilever. That’s why our USLP goals are to improve health and
well-being, reduce our environmental impact and enhance livelihoods through direct
action and partnerships.
Our efforts have been recognised and Unilever is No.1 in the Dow Jones Sustainability
Index for Food, Beverage & Tobacco.