Unilever highlights personal care growth plans at WWD event

Unilever has detailed the strategic direction and growth ambition of its personal care business at the annual WWD Beauty CEO Summit, one of the industry's most prominent events.

Dave Lewis, Unilever's president for personal care, told attendees that the company is aiming to deliver margin-accretive innovation and increase the availability of its products by opening up new channels, expanding into emerging markets and developing new premium products.

The firm is already the one of the fastest-growing and most profitable multi-category personal care businesses in the world, having purchased Alberto Culver in 2011 and making significant investments in its skin business.

Additionally, Unilever is employing a more unified approach to the organisation of its business, moving from addressing the needs of different body parts individually to a more holistic outlook.

Mr Lewis said: "By looking at the whole person, not just the sum of the physical parts, we are able to see more and understand more. And we are therefore better placed to serve people."

This comes after the company experienced underlying sales growth of 3.6 percent during the first quarter of 2014.