meeting everyday needs of people everywhere Annual ... - Unilever

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“Our market research told us that European consumers wanted a convenient, simple washing solution: so we developed laundry tablets...” Tablets were launched after an intensive research and development programme and close consumer liaison. They allow consumers to use precisely the right dosage, without waste, and dissolve easily throughout the wash – under a brand name they know and trust.
15 Unilever Annual Review 1998 Business Overview Operating profits improved in most national markets. France advanced in oil and dairy based foods and personal care. Italy achieved good results in ice cream and personal care, and the United Kingdom did well in culinary, beverages and frozen foods. The results in Germany and Sweden fell because of lower ice cream sales. Central and Eastern Europe Given the difficult circumstances caused by Russia’s economic crisis, we delivered creditable results in this priority region. Sales rose 4% and underlying volumes by 5%. Profits overall were slightly ahead of 1997 and we were able to maintain operating margins. Growth in Central Europe was mixed. Our Czech business was very successful, as consumers reacted enthusiastically to our ice creams and innovations in Rama margarine and Organics hair care products. However, Poland was down on the previous year. We made good progress in restructuring our business in Turkey, which delivered a satisfactory underlying volume growth and much improved profitability. Ice cream and laundry performed particularly well while progress in yellow fats was slower than expected. Our Russian business was far ahead of expectations at the end of the first half of 1998. While this progress was cut short by the economic crisis which intensified in August, we responded quickly to the new situation. Overall results were well below 1997. In Europe as a whole, the net benefit of exceptional items in 1998 was £121 million, compared with a charge of £267 million in 1997. Restructuring costs were focused primarily on the Foods business. They were more than offset by profits from the sale of Plant Breeding International.
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meeting everyday needs of people everywhere Annual ... - Unilever

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