Unilever’s turnover reported an 11 percent turnover in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa in the first quarter of 2003, ahead with underlying sales growth of nine percent and a net gain from acquisitions and disposals.
Laundry performed especially well through the Surf and Omo brands and Home & Personal Care was further boosted in the skin, oral and hair care markets through activities behind Dove, Lux, Sunsilk and Signal.
Unilever’s Lipton tea brand grew strongly Saudi Arabia and Egypt in the first quarter of 2003. Operating margin reached 11.4 percent and is ahead by 270 basis points with advertising and promotional spending at the same rate as last year.
In Foods, Unilever’s Knorr brand has been extended across the north of the region including the launch of the brand in Saudi Arabia and the launch of seasonings and meal-makers in Turkey.
With annual sales of approximately $47 billion in 2002, Unilever produces and markets a wide range of foods and home and personal care products. The company operates in 88 countries around the globe and employs approximately 258,000 people. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
