Global consumer products giant Unilever has reported a dip in its full year revenue, but said it had also increased in marketing spend in 2025.
Unilever full year results
The company, which makes everything from Hellmann’s Mayonnaise to Dove soap, said turnover for the year was €50.5 billion, down 3.5% over the previous year.
However, net profit for the year rose 2.9% to €6.2bn, and the company increased its dividend by 3.5%.
In its release statement, the FTSE 100-listed company said it had increased its brand and marketing spend.
“Brand and marketing investment (BMI) increased 10bps to 16.1% of turnover, as we continued to invest competitively behind our brands, particularly in Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care”, Unilever wrote.
“This reflects the significant step up in BMI over the last four years, up 300bps”
AI commitment
Looking ahead, Unilever said it will continue to focus on the three shifts that will be critical to support sustained outperformance in rapidly changing markets:
- Building desire at scale with its brands.
- Ensuring the organisation is fit for the AI age.
- Reinforcing a play to win culture with clear accountability.
Unilever expects underlying sales growth for the full year of 2026 to be within its multi-year guidance range of 4% to 6%, with at least 2% underlying volume growth.
2026 growth is expected to be at the bottom end of the underlying sales growth range reflecting the slower market conditions.
Unilever anticipates a modest improvement in underlying operating margin for the full year versus 20.0% in 2025.
Fernando Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer of Unilever, said: “In 2025 we became a simpler, sharper, and faster Unilever, delivering our commitment to volume growth, positive mix and strong gross margin.”
“Our underlying sales growth improved throughout the year as we landed a strong innovation plan, drove improvements in key emerging markets and successfully completed the Ice Cream demerger.”
“We are moving at speed to build a business that drives desire at scale in our brands, execution excellence across all channels and cost discipline.”
“We have set clear priorities for growth – building a brand portfolio for the future, with more Beauty, Wellbeing and Personal Care, prioritising premium segments and digital commerce, and anchoring our growth in the US and India.”
“Despite slowing markets, our sharper focus and disciplined execution underpin our confidence for 2026 and beyond.”
Unilver’s shares were trading down 1% at £52.65 each in London on Thursday morning.