market for household goods in Europe and North America looks bad and it may need another two years or even more to revert to the 2 3 percent growth or more that one would hope for," said Tom Gidley Kitchin at brokers Charles Stanley. The pressure on Unilever was highlighted after French food rival Danone had cautious words on Europe this week, while P&G is raising the competitive pressure in Asia, much as the U. S giant has done to Reckitt in Europe. Analyst Alex Smith at brokers Nomura sees a risk of disappointment with Unilever's results from slowing sales volume growth and a fall in profit margins as competition and inflation increase and it sees a lack of pricing power.(Reporting 
Share:  <span class="sent">market for household goods in Europe and North America looks bad and it may need another two years or even more to revert to the 2 3 percent growth or more that one would hope for," said <span class="analyst">Tom Gidley Kitchin</span> at brokers Charles Stanley.</span> The pressure on <span class="company">Unilever</span> was highlighted after French food rival Danone had cautious words on Europe this week, while P&G is raising the competitive pressure in Asia, much as the U. S giant has done to Reckitt in Europe. Analyst Alex Smith at brokers Nomura sees a risk of disappointment with <span class="company">Unilever</span>'s results from slowing sales volume growth and a fall in profit margins as competition and inflation increase and it sees a lack of pricing power.(Reporting Tweet this   read full story

At constant exchange rates, annual sales were up 1%. Unilever CEO Paul Polman said that he expects continuing pressure on consumer spending and heightened levels of competition in 2010. Likewise, Dutch bakery supplier CSM reported 2009 results showing a 1.7% decline in net sales to EUR2.55bn, although earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation (EBITA) grew by 13.1% to EUR150.6mn. Natural/health food company Wessanen reported a loss of EUR219.7mn for full year 2009, while underlying revenues for the year fell by 3.2% to EUR702.5mn. 
Share:  At constant exchange rates, annual sales were up 1%. <span class="sent"><span class="company">Unilever</span> CEO <span class="analyst">Paul Polman</span> said that he expects continuing pressure on consumer spending and heightened levels of competition in 2010.</span> Likewise, Dutch bakery supplier CSM reported 2009 results showing a 1.7% decline in net sales to EUR2.55bn, although earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation (EBITA) grew by 13.1% to EUR150.6mn. Natural/health food company Wessanen reported a loss of EUR219.7mn for full year 2009, while underlying revenues for the year fell by 3.2% to EUR702.5mn. Tweet this   read full story

Elsewhere, Goldman Sachs boosted Unilever, the consumer goods giant which rose by 54p to 1,898p, after the broker added the stock to its widely followed "conviction buy" list. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Elsewhere, <span class="analyst">Goldman</span> Sachs boosted Unilever, the consumer goods giant which rose by 54p to 1,898p, after the broker added the stock to its widely followed "conviction buy" list.</span> Tweet this   read full story

Similarly, Bertolli had integrated segments on "Extra," promoting a special web series, "In the Heart of Italy," along with ads in People and Travel & Leisure, among other magazines. "The variety of top quality communications platforms that Time Warner offers gives us the ability to engage our consumers with innovative brand content that is most relevant to them," Keith Weed, Unilever CMO, said in a statement. "As a major marketer, we want to be where our consumers are and these platforms give us the added ability to do that through our extended relationship.". "We recognize that in order to drive strategic growth for our partners and ourselves, we must focus our efforts on delivering premium content, applications and experiences that serve the client's brand and uniquely engage the consumer," Mark D'Arcy, president of Time Warner's Global Media Group, said in a statement. While Time Warner would not comment on the total amount of the deal, Kantar Media, which tracks ad spending, has estimated that Unilever spent $119 million on advertising with Time Warner in 2009. 
Share:  Similarly, Bertolli had integrated segments on "Extra," promoting a special web series, "In the Heart of Italy," along with ads in People and Travel & Leisure, among other magazines. <span class="sent">"The variety of top quality communications platforms that Time Warner offers gives us the ability to engage our consumers with innovative brand content that is most relevant to them," <span class="analyst">Keith Weed</span>, <span class="company">Unilever</span> CMO, said in a statement.</span> "As a major marketer, we want to be where our consumers are and these platforms give us the added ability to do that through our extended relationship.". "We recognize that in order to drive strategic growth for our partners and ourselves, we must focus our efforts on delivering premium content, applications and experiences that serve the client's brand and uniquely engage the consumer," Mark D'Arcy, president of Time Warner's Global Media Group, said in a statement. While Time Warner would not comment on the total amount of the deal, Kantar Media, which tracks ad spending, has estimated that <span class="company">Unilever</span> spent $119 million on advertising with Time Warner in 2009. Tweet this   read full story

Unilever, which was named Marketer of the Year at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in mid June and was Ad Age's inaugural Digital Marketer of the Year, has led the industry by taking a different approach to media. Keith Weed, Unilever Chief Marketing Officer, said, ""The variety of top quality communications platforms that Time Warner offers give us the ability to engage our consumers with innovative brand content that is most relevant to them. As a major marketer, we want to be where our consumers are and these platforms give us the added ability to do that through our extended relationship.". "We recognize that in order to drive strategic growth for our partners and ourselves, we must focus our efforts on delivering premium content, applications and experiences that serve the client's brand and uniquely engage the consumer," said Mark D'Arcy, President of Time Warner's Global Media Group. "Unilever is second to none in how they apply creativity to the media canvas. 
Share:  <span class="company">Unilever</span>, which was named Marketer of the Year at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in mid June and was Ad Age's inaugural Digital Marketer of the Year, has led the industry by taking a different approach to media. <span class="sent"><span class="analyst">Keith Weed</span>, <span class="company">Unilever</span> Chief Marketing Officer, said, ""The variety of top quality communications platforms that Time Warner offers give us the ability to engage our consumers with innovative brand content that is most relevant to them.</span> As a major marketer, we want to be where our consumers are and these platforms give us the added ability to do that through our extended relationship.". "We recognize that in order to drive strategic growth for our partners and ourselves, we must focus our efforts on delivering premium content, applications and experiences that serve the client's brand and uniquely engage the consumer," said Mark D'Arcy, President of Time Warner's Global Media Group. "<span class="company">Unilever</span> is second to none in how they apply creativity to the media canvas. Tweet this   read full story

The question is, who would acquire GMCR? Some possibilities are the usual giants in the consumer products category -- Procter and Gamble, Unilever, Kraft Foods, Nestle, Pepsico, Mars, and Coca-Cola.  
Share:  <span class="sent">The question is, who would acquire GMCR? Some possibilities are the usual giants in the consumer products category -- Procter and Gamble, Unilever, Kraft Foods, Nestle, Pepsico, Mars, and Coca-Cola. </span> Tweet this   read full story