Unilever

What Unilever does

Unilever is one of the world's largest consumer goods companies, operating through four category-focused Business Groups—Beauty & Wellbeing (€12.8bn 2025 turnover), Personal Care (€13.2bn), Home Care (€11.6bn) and Foods (€12.9bn)—anchored by a portfolio of approximately 30 Power Brands (Dove, Rexona, Axe/Lynx, Hellmann's, Knorr, Persil, Vaseline, TRESemmé, Sunsilk, POND'S, Dermalogica, Liquid I.V., and others) reaching 3.7 billion consumers daily across 190 countries. The group generated €50.5bn in turnover in 2025, with 78% of revenue concentrated in Power Brands and 59% sourced from emerging markets; its Indian listed subsidiary Hindustan Unilever Limited contributes approximately 16% of group revenue.

Unilever's underlying technology stack combines world-leading R&D (€836m investment in 2025, 4,500+ scientific and technical experts including 500+ PhDs, 16,500+ active patents) with a deep AI-enabled operating layer: 500+ AI applications deployed globally, the AI Horizon3 Lab in Toronto, AI-enabled digital twins across 40+ manufacturing sites with Accenture, in-house digitally-enabled fragrance creation hubs in the UK, US and Mumbai (IIT Bombay) backed by a €100m programme and nearly €1.2bn annual fragrance investment, quantum computing exploration for materials discovery, and an upcoming $270m Global Innovation Center in New Haven (spring 2029). The company has shifted from 80% physical to 80% digital lab work, compressing innovation timelines from 2-3 years to 9-12 months and generating €1.8bn in incremental innovation-driven turnover.

Unilever generates revenue primarily through branded packaged consumer goods sales via mass-market retailers and an expanding omni-channel mix that includes DTC e-commerce (17% of beauty and personal care turnover), TikTok Shop-exclusive launches, quick commerce (HUL 3% of revenue), retail media networks (Nectar360 Pollen), and B2B foodservice (Unilever Food Solutions). The company is undergoing major portfolio reshaping: the global ice cream business was demerged as The Magnum Ice Cream Company in 2025, the Foods business is being combined with McCormick in a $44.8bn transaction (expected close mid-2027), and Unilever is aggressively consolidating premium beauty and wellbeing (Dr. Squatch $1.5bn, Grüns $1.2bn, Minimalist ~$360m, Nutrafol, Paula's Choice). The corporate parent (Unilever PLC) is dual-listed in London and Amsterdam with an ADR on the NYSE, led by CEO Fernando Fernandez and CFO Srinivas Phatak.

Name

Unilever

Legal name

Unilever PLC

Website

https://unilever.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Unilever is a global consumer goods company operating four Business Groups (Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Foods) across 30 Power Brands serving 3.7 billion consumers in 190 countries, generating €50.5bn in 2025 turnover with strong R&D and AI-enabled manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Packaged Goods (Personal Care, Beauty, Home Care and Foods)

NAICS

Piece Goods, Notions, and Other Dry Goods Merchant Wholesalers (42431)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty & Gourmet Foods Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Gourmet Foods Distribution (CRAOABAF), Specialty & Functional Packaged Foods (Gluten-Free, Keto, Organic, Medical/Allergen-Friendly) (CRADAAAI)

Keywords

• Consumer packaged goods
• Personal care products
• Home care products
• Beauty and skincare
• Foods and condiments

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consumer goods product sales (B2C/B2B retail): Core revenue from sales of branded packaged consumer goods across Beauty & Wellbeing (€12.8bn), Personal Care (€13.2bn), Home Care (€11.6bn) and Foods (€12.9bn), totalling €50.5bn turnover in 2025 with 78% of turnover generated by Power Brands and 59% from emerging markets.
2. Digital commerce (d-commerce) sales: Growing direct digital sales through retailer websites, social commerce (e.g., TikTok Shop), quick commerce and DTC platforms, with 17% of beauty and personal care turnover and over 50% of well-being category turnover coming from digital channels; achieved double-digit growth in B2C d-commerce sales in Q1 2026.
3. Foodservice / B2B chef solutions (Unilever Food Solutions): B2B revenue from Unilever Food Solutions providing professional kitchens worldwide with Knorr Professional and Hellmann's products, end-to-end solutions, Future Menu Trends insights, culinary training and the Positive Kitchens initiative.
4. Licensing and brand partnerships (e.g., FIFA, Samsung): Revenue from licensed co-branded partnerships such as the FIFA World Cup 2026 Personal Care sponsorship and Samsung smart-home laundry auto-dose line, plus sport/entertainment and creator-driven limited-edition product collaborations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Unilever manufactures and sells branded fast-moving consumer goods across four Business Groups — Beauty & Wellbeing (€12.8bn 2025 turnover; Dove, Vaseline, TRESemmé, Sunsilk, Dermalogica, Paula's Choice, Nutrafol, Liquid I.V.), Personal Care (€13.2bn; Axe/Lynx, Rexona, Dove Men+Care, LUX, Lifebuoy, Closeup, Pepsodent), Home Care (€11.6bn; Persil, OMO, Comfort, Cif, Domestos, Sunlight, Surf) and Foods (€12.9bn; Hellmann's, Knorr, Horlicks) — alongside the B2B Unilever Food Solutions chef business, generating €50.5bn total turnover across 190 countries served by 96,000 employees.

Product overview

Unilever operates as a global consumer goods platform organised around four category-focused business groups (Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods) plus the spun-off Magnum Ice Cream Company. The company's product offering is a federated portfolio of approximately 30 Power Brands plus a wider brand portfolio of more than 400 brands serving 3.7 billion consumers across 190 countries. Beauty & Wellbeing (€12.8bn turnover in 2025) spans Hair Care, Prestige Beauty, Skin Care and Wellbeing (Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements) and includes Dove, Vaseline, TRESemmé, Sunsilk, Nexxus, Dermalogica, Paula's Choice, Nutrafol, Liquid I.V., POND'S, CLEAR, Hourglass, K18 and Olly. Personal Care (€13.2bn) covers Deodorants, Oral Care and Skin Cleansing with Axe, Dove Men+Care, Rexona, LUX, Lifebuoy, Closeup and Pepsodent. Home Care (€11.6bn) covers Fabric Cleaning, Fabric Enhancers and Home & Hygiene with the Dirt Is Good umbrella (OMO and Persil), Sunlight, Comfort, Cif, Domestos, Radiant and Surf. Foods (€12.9bn) covers Condiments, Cooking Aids & Mini-Meals and Unilever Food Solutions led by Hellmann's (€3bn global #1 mayonnaise) and Knorr (€5bn bouillon market leader), with Horlicks (HUL) and Kwality Wall's (Ice Cream) also featured. Unilever's Magnum Ice Cream Company demerger separates ice cream operations (including Wall's, Magnum, Ben & Jerry's) into an independent listed entity. Underlying the brand portfolio, Unilever operates a unified digital/AI enterprise platform spanning R&D (€836m investment in 2025, 4,500+ experts, 16,500+ active patents), a global manufacturing network with 200+ factories now scaling 40+ AI-enabled digital twins with Accenture, and AI-driven consumer insight engines that compress innovation cycles from 2-3 years to 9-12 months.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dove: Beauty & Wellbeing Power Brand - hair care and skin cleansing line, also Dove Men+Care and Baby Dove.
• Dove Men+Care
• Rexona
• Axe
• Lynx
• Hellmann's
• Knorr
• Vaseline
• TRESemmé
• Sunsilk
• Paula's Choice
• Dermalogica
• Nutrafol
• Liquid I.V.
• Nexxus
• CLEAR
• POND'S
• Hourglass
• K18
• Olly
• LUX
• Lifebuoy
• Closeup
• Pepsodent
• OMO
• Persil
• Comfort
• Cif
• Domestos
• Sunlight
• Surf
• Radiant
• Dirt Is Good
• Horlicks
• Liquid I.V.
• Kwality Wall's
• Ben & Jerry's
• Minimalist
• Graze
• Dr. Squatch
• Grüns
• Yasso
• Snuggle
• Degree
• Unilever Philippines

Products and services

• Dove Beauty & Wellbeing Power Brand spanning body wash, hair care (Intensive Repair, Bond Strength, 10-in-1 Serum Mask), deodorants and skin care; Dove Hair Reborn Stronger / Intensive Repair is a hero range, and the Dove r/eal Reviews Reddit transparency campaign generated 1 billion+ impressions.
• Vaseline Beauty & Wellbeing Power Brand in skincare and body care with body lotions, the Vaseline Gluta-Hya Dewy Radiance serum lotion, Cera-Glow Body Gel-Oil and the 'Vaseline Verified' campaign testing viral beauty hacks. Vaseline Originals limited-edition face primers sell exclusively on TikTok Shop in Singapore and the Philippines.
• TRESemmé Beauty & Wellbeing professional hair care brand with hero products including TRESemmé Lamellar Gloss Finishing Oil (up to 72H Ultra Shine) and TRESemmé Silk Press Hair Serum; recently signed as signature hair care brand for 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'.
• Sunsilk Beauty & Wellbeing hair care brand for women with the new Wondermist hair mist in Golden Glaze and other variants.
• Nexxus Beauty & Wellbeing premium hair care brand with hero products including Nexxus Promend Oil Resurrection for Hair; AI tools are used to create digital twins of new Nexxus bottles for R&D and packaging teams.
• Dermalogica Beauty & Wellbeing prestige professional skincare brand.
• Paula's Choice Beauty & Wellbeing digital-led skincare brand acquired in Q3 2021 from TA Associates.
• Nutrafol Beauty & Wellbeing hair growth supplement brand; the #1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand in the US.
• Liquid I.V. Beauty & Wellbeing hydration brand in the Wellbeing category; introduced a margarita-flavoured hydration powder positioned as a mocktail option with caffeine and energy benefits.
• POND'S Skin Institute Beauty & Wellbeing skincare brand; new Pond's Hydra Miracle Ultra Light range developed using AI-powered microbiome analysis.
• CLEAR Beauty & Wellbeing anti-dandruff shampoo and scalp care hair care brand.
• Axe / Lynx Personal Care men's fragrance and personal care brand (Lynx in the UK). Launched AXE Fine Fragrance Limited-Edition Collection (Marshmallow Smoke, White Vetiver, Indigo Haze) as part of FIFA World Cup 2026 'Smell Your Best When You Look Your Worst' campaign.
• Rexona Personal Care global deodorant brand with major FIFA World Cup 2026 activation including 9-metre-high deodorant sculptures at FanFest locations in Miami and Dallas and 'House of Fresh' pop-ups in Miami, New York and Mexico City.
• Dove Men+Care Personal Care men's personal care brand under the Dove master brand, with body wash, deodorants and hair care for men.
• LUX Personal Care beauty soap and personal care brand with hero soap bars and body wash.
• Lifebuoy Personal Care hygiene-focused soap and handwash brand with strong emerging-markets presence.
• Closeup Personal Care oral care toothpaste brand focused on fresh breath.
• Pepsodent Personal Care oral care brand with strong emerging-markets presence; Unilever is #4 globally in Oral Care.
• Dr. Squatch Men's grooming brand acquired by Unilever for $1.5 billion in 2025, leveraging social commerce and humor-based marketing to capture market share in men's grooming.
• Cif Home Care cleaning brand; launched Cif Infinite Clean all-in-one spray range in three product variants with refill packs.
• Comfort Home Care fabric conditioner and scent booster brand; launched Comfort Smart Series designed for Samsung auto-dose washing machines.
• Domestos Home Care toilet and bathroom cleaning brand; launched Domestos Unstoppable Power Foam, a new foam format extending the home hygiene line.
• OMO Home Care laundry brand under the 'Dirt Is Good' master brand umbrella alongside Persil; includes new laundry capsule technology launched in 2026.
• Sunlight Home Care dishwashing and home cleaning brand.
• Radiant Home Care laundry brand focused on Australia and New Zealand markets.
• Surf Home Care laundry brand with fabric cleaning and laundry detergents, primarily in emerging markets.
• Persil Home Care hero laundry detergent brand under the 'Dirt Is Good' master brand umbrella; Persil Wonder Wash reached approximately €200 million annualised turnover since its 2024 launch and Persil Smart Series was designed for Samsung auto-dose washing machines using PRO-CISION Technology.
• Hellmann's Foods Power Brand and world's number one mayonnaise brand worth nearly €3 billion (per Euromonitor 2024); includes Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise and Hellmann's Spicy Mayonnaise.
• Knorr Foods Power Brand and approximately €5 billion bouillon market leader; includes bouillons, seasonings and mini meals, plus the B2B Knorr Professional range. Launched Knorr Fast & Flavourful Paste developed with AI that reportedly cut development time in half.
• Unilever Food Solutions B2B chef-to-chef foodservice business providing professional kitchens worldwide with Knorr Professional and Hellmann's products, end-to-end solutions, Future Menu Trends insights, culinary training and the Positive Kitchens initiative.
• Grüns Vitamin gummies brand acquired by Unilever for $1.2 billion in H1 2026 as part of the growing focus on masstige beauty and wellness brands.
• Minimalist Indian skin and hair care brand acquired by Hindustan Unilever Limited for nearly Rs 3,000 crore in April 2025, expanding HUL's premium beauty presence in India.

Quantifiable outcome

• Beauty & Wellbeing scientists access consumer insights 60% faster and generate proven claims 75% more quickly using AI
• +12 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability14 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Nectar360 (Pollen retail media platform)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 June 2026Unilever is an active client of Nectar360's Pollen unified retail media platform reporting 2.5x higher incremental sales from omnichannel campaigns and up to 10x higher conversion rates from targeted activity.
• Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (Pollen platform co-client)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 June 2026Co-adopter of Nectar360's Pollen retail media platform alongside Unilever, with AI-powered creative compliance checker reducing review time from weeks to 90 seconds.
• PHD UKminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 June 2026Collaborating on creative optimization for Lipton Teas and Infusions within Nectar360's Pollen retail media platform.
• Global Renewables Alliance (alongside Uber, Autodesk, Coca-Cola and 100+ companies)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 June 2026Co-signed declaration urging governments worldwide to accelerate electrification and make clean electrification a central pillar of economic and industrial strategy, citing geopolitical tensions, market volatility and energy price pressures.
• OLIVER (The Brandtech Group)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 21 June 2026Tom Skinner (former Global Executive Creative Director at TikTok) appointed Group Executive Creative Director at OLIVER, also serving as creative lead for Unilever's U-Studio across OLIVER's global client portfolio.
• Google CloudflagshipTechnology or Integration · 19 June 2026Strategic partnership in which Unilever uses Google's Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform for brand discovery and marketing; highlighted at Google Cloud London Summit. CMO Leandro Barreto explains how AI and smart data deliver personalised consumer insights; CDTO Sam Kini highlights AI supercharging demand generation and retailer relationships. Marks an expansion supplanting Unilever's legacy Microsoft-centric AI ecosystems.
• AccentureflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 June 2026Multi-year partnership announced June 16, 2026 to scale AI-enabled digital twins across Unilever's global manufacturing network, with plans to build more than 40 new digital twins over the next 18 months. Accenture provides AI, advanced analytics, cloud infrastructure and AI agents. Builds on prior Accenture engagement to simplify Unilever's digital core and apply generative AI for cost reductions and operational efficiencies.
• OP2B and other food/beverage companies (Arla, Danone, Diageo, FrieslandCampina, InVivo, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Pernod Ricard)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026OP2B-led coalition including Unilever published recommendations on scaling agricultural transition in Europe through the EU's Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Framework; Unilever co-signatory proposing an EU Buyers' Club and Purchasing Facility.
• Department of Finance, PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Met with Unilever officials to discuss potential new investments in green manufacturing initiatives in the Philippines, including strengthening production facilities; investment intended to promote green manufacturing, create jobs, enhance workforce skills and develop community programs.
• GEP, Keelvar and IBM (AI sourcing partners)coreTechnology or Integration · 15 June 2026Research from GEP, Keelvar and IBM indicates that AI adoption significantly reduces vulnerability to market disruptions, with AI-using companies 3.7x less likely to suffer during volatility. Unilever cited as a leader using AI across sourcing operations.
• University of LiverpoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026Strategic partnership generating £270 million in gross value added, 350 patents and approximately 400 jobs attributable between 2015 and 2024. University secured over £23 million through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund for two major programmes.
• DocuSigncoreTechnology or Integration · 11 June 2026Unilever uses DocuSign's Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) platform via its 'Smarter Contracting' initiative deployed across 70+ countries, reporting 50% reduction in contract completion time and 80% reduction in drafting time.
• Magnum Ice Cream CompanycoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 29 May 2026Demerger of Unilever's global ice cream operations into The Magnum Ice Cream Company, giving the business greater autonomy; CEO Peter ter Kulve leading India expansion plans. Unilever Foods merger with McCormick excludes ice cream.
• McCormick & CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026$44.8 billion (including debt) merger combining Unilever's food business with McCormick, expected to close mid-2027, creating a $65 billion sauce-and-spice giant. Brands to combine include Hellmann's, French's and Knorr (partial); Unilever excluded HUL's Indian food operations including Horlicks.
• Samsung ElectronicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaboration to launch Unilever's first auto-dose laundry detergent and conditioner (Persil and Comfort Smart Series) for Samsung smart auto-dose washing machines, with PRO-CISION Technology and anti-clogging formulas. Targets an emerging laundry category set to reach approximately €1.5bn by 2030.
• Grüns (Unilever acquisition)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Unilever acquired vitamin gummies brand Grüns for $1.2 billion as part of H1 2026 beauty M&A surge alongside L'Oréal's Kering Beauté ($4bn) and Henkel's Olaplex (>$1bn) deals.
• Minimalist (Hindustan Unilever acquisition)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Hindustan Unilever acquired Indian skin and hair care brand Minimalist for nearly Rs 3,000 crore in April 2025, representing a significant strategic investment in the Indian premium market.
• Dr. Squatch (Unilever acquisition)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Unilever acquired men's grooming brand Dr. Squatch for $1.5 billion in 2025, expanding its men's beauty and personal care portfolio.
• FIFAflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Five-year partnership signed in 2023 covering men's, women's and esports competitions; Unilever Personal Care is Official Personal Care Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026, activating 35+ brands (Dove, Rexona, Axe) across 120+ markets with 180+ limited-edition products, 50,000+ creators and experiential hubs in three host cities. Tournament expected to reach 6 billion global fans.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Procter & Gamble: Procter & Gamble is Unilever's closest direct peer: a global packaged consumer goods company with overlapping portfolios in beauty, grooming, personal care, home care and fabric care (Tide/Ariel vs Persil/OMO, Gillette vs Dove Men+Care/Axe, Pampers vs no direct equivalent), competing head-to-head in mass and premium tiers across 190+ countries.
• Nestlé: Nestlé is the world's largest food company and overlaps directly with Unilever's Foods business (soups, sauces, seasonings, cooking aids) via Maggi, Stouffer's and Nestlé Professional; the pending McCormick-Unilever combination further aligns the two groups in nutrition and food service.
• L'Oréal: L'Oréal is the global leader in beauty and personal care, competing directly with Unilever's Beauty & Wellbeing portfolio across hair care, skin care, prestige beauty and dermocosmetics (Lancôme, Kérastase, La Roche-Posay vs Dove, TRESemmé, Dermalogica, Paula's Choice).
• Reckitt Benckiser: Reckitt is a focused HPC peer competing with Unilever in home hygiene (Dettol vs Domestos), fabric care (Vanish vs OMO/Persil) and personal care/health, with a similar Power Brand model and emerging-market exposure.
• Henkel: Henkel competes directly in laundry and home care (Persil in some markets, all vs Unilever's OMO/Persil/Comfort/Cif) and in professional adhesives; the recent Olaplex acquisition (> $1bn) also puts it in Unilever's beauty adjacency.
• Colgate-Palmolive: Colgate-Palmolive competes with Unilever in oral care (Colgate vs Closeup/Pepsodent) and personal/home care (Palmolive, Ajax, Softsoap vs Dove, LUX, Sunlight), with a similarly global mass-market footprint.
• Kimberly-Clark: Kimberly-Clark is a global HPC peer competing with Unilever in personal care and home care, with overlapping categories (Kleenex, Huggies, Scott vs no direct equivalents but competing for the same shelf space and consumer occasions).
• Beiersdorf: Beiersdorf is a focused personal-care peer with NIVEA, Eucerin and La Prairie directly competing with Unilever's Dove, Vaseline, Dermalogica and Paula's Choice across skin care and body care globally.
• Estée Lauder Companies: Estée Lauder is a prestige beauty peer overlapping with Unilever's Beauty & Wellbeing Prestige portfolio (Clinique, MAC, Tom Ford, Dr. Jart+ vs Hourglass, Dermalogica, K18), with comparable travel retail and emerging-market exposure.

Broad incumbents

• Church & Dwight: Church & Dwight is a US-focused HPC incumbent (Arm & Hammer, OxiClean, Trojan) competing with Unilever's home care portfolio in North America, with similar Power Brand-led mass-market positioning though smaller global reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Unilever
• Facebookfacebook.com/HindustanUnileverLimited
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unilever
• Instagraminstagram.com/unilever

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A51 records

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unilever