Unilever profits fall before ice‑cream spin‑off.
Unilever’s Ice Cream Unit to Split Off as Sales Pillar Flows
The British consumer‑goods conglomerate Unilever announced that net profit declined by five percent in the first half of the year, as it sets the stage for a formal demerger of its ice‑cream subsidiary.
Key figures
- Profit after tax: €3.5 billion (down from €3.9 billion in 2024) $4 billion
- Turnover: €30.1 billion (three percent lower) $3.4 billion
- Underlying sales growth exceeded expectations, largely driven by Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum brands
Strategic shift underway
Unilever has embarked on a turnaround program that includes:
- Job cuts and a workforce re‑organisation
- Appointment of a new chief executive, Fernando Fernandez, who took office in March after the brief tenure of Hein Schumacher
- Planned demerger of the ice‑cream division, The Magnum Ice‑Cream Company, slated to operate independently by mid‑November
Executive focus for the future
Fernando Fernandez highlighted that the company will concentrate on expanding sales within the United States and India, while prioritising its personal‑care and beauty lines. The group reaffirmed its full‑year sales forecast but described the macroeconomic and currency environment as “uncertain,” pledging agility in adjusting plans as necessary.
Background
Unilever’s product portfolio ranges from Dove soap and Cif surface cleaner to Hellmann’s mayonnaise. The demerger comes after two sets of disappointing annual results during Hein Schumacher’s brief spell as CEO.
