Beauty & Personal Care underlying sales grew 3.8%, the press release says, with 3.5% from volume and .4% from price. Demand for hand hygiene products remained high; growth was supported by Dove’s entry into the antibacterial segment, and the extension of Lifebuoy into new formats and channels across several European markets. Skin care and deodorants declined, both by single digit percentages; both categories were impacted by restricted living conditions. Hair styling products declined, but that was offset by a growth in wash and care products.
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Home Care sales grew 8.5% in volume, but was negatively affected by pricing, dropping sales by 1.6%. Home hygiene brands delivered high growth; fabric solutions grew as well, although price declined.Foods and Refreshment sales grew 1.8% from volume and 1.8% from price, the press release says. The retail foods business grew double digit and tea saw mid-single digit growth thanks to in-home eating. Sales of ice cream grew as well, with in-home ice cream consumption offsetting the decline in out-of-home ice cream sales. Food service has declined by over 20%, but the press release notes that as China reopens, trends there are improving.