Unilever’s new CEO, Fernando Fernandez, has expressed confidence in the company’s prospects in India, which he believes will see accelerated sales growth in the second half of 2025 due to interest rate cuts and government stimulus measures. India is Unilever’s second-largest business, accounting for 11-12% of its global revenue. Fernandez sees India, along with the US, as key “geographical anchors” for the company, with potential for bolt-on acquisitions, portfolio changes, and channel modifications to drive future decision-making.
Fernandez discussed his vision for Unilever, which includes creating a “machine for demand creation” and making a “decisive shift to premium” across categories. He also emphasized the importance of building “desire at scale” through innovation, variants, and new launches, with a focus on creating a “marketing and sales machine” to drive growth. Additionally, he wants to turn around Unilever’s operations in China and Indonesia, which have been a drag on the company’s performance in recent years.
In the short-term, Fernandez’ priorities will be to divide Unilever’s sales force, drive volume growth, and complete the separation of its ice-cream business by the end of 2025. He also plans to focus on developing a productivity plan and ensuring a strong innovation plan across segments by June 2025. Overall, Fernandez’ strategy is centered on accelerating growth, driving demand, and increasing profitability across Unilever’s global operations.