Anglo-Dutch consumer goods company Unilever, the world’s No. 2 maker of branded household products by revenue after Procter & Gamble, reported revenues for the second quarter that came in below analysts’ expectations. Though the company’s revenue rose by 5% in the three months ended June 30, it was below the 5.3% increase forecast by a Bloomberg survey of 14 analysts. Despite being seen as one of the best operators in the global consumer goods market, Unilever, which makes Dove soap and Pot Noodle, said sales in developed markets fell 1.3% in the second quarter of the year. The company said there was “little sign of any recovery in North America or Europe”. According to Unilever’s Chief Executive, Paul Polman, “Developed markets remain sluggish with little sign of any recovery in North America or Europe. Growth is also slowing in emerging markets, as macro-economic headwinds influence consumer behaviour.” Unilever is among consumer-goods companies struggling with declining consumer demand in recession-struck Europe. Along with peers such as Coca-Cola and Nestle, Unilever also faces weaker economic growth in developing markets such as India and Brazil.
