Unilever hit by lockdown beauty sales slump

Nowhere to go: Life in lockdown has led to a slump in sales of Unilever’s beauty products

Life in lockdown led to a slump in sales of Unilever’s beauty products, hair gel and deodorant as customers were confined to their homes.

But the coronavirus pandemic also sparked a boom in demand for the consumer goods group’s cleaning products like Domestos, and food brands such as Hellmann’s and Marmite.

Unilever bosses have unveiled plans to focus on fast-growing markets such as plant-based food and upmarket beauty, as well as younger shoppers.

Chief executive Alan Jope said: ‘Young people in particular feel it’s time for businesses and brands to show more responsibility.’

The FTSE 100 firm reported a 2.4 per cent fall in sales to £44.9billion in 2020. 

Profit rose 0.7 per cent to £8.2billion but that was below analysts’ expectations and the share price fell 6.2 per cent to 4067p despite a 4 per cent increase in fourth quarter dividend to 38p-per-share.

The food and drink division, which includes Hellman’s, Marmite and PG Tips, performed strongest, posting sales growth of 5.2 per cent between October and December, because of the closure of pubs and restaurants.

Even Unilever’s ice cream brands, which include Walls, Ben & Jerry’s, and Carte D’Or, grew sales.