Unilever

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon survived a leadership confidence vote among National Party lawmakers in Wellington less than three months before an election scheduled for Nov. 7. The two votes since April followed recent public remarks by Luxon, such as comments about business leaders having a "parent-child mentality." After the vote, Luxon stated that his caucus was united and determined to win.

Major consumer goods multinationals, including Coca-Cola and Unilever, reported strong sales growth in China during the first half of the year, despite a sluggish overall domestic retail market. Their performance contrasts with weak consumption data, highlighting potential opportunities in China's 'K-shaped' recovery.

European governments are implementing age restrictions on social media access for under-15s, prompting businesses to adjust marketing strategies. Brands in sectors like food, fashion, and beauty face challenges as they may cut digital ad spending by £1.3 billion, while exploring alternatives like streaming services and influencer-led campaigns.

Unilever is providing a two-year guarantee for pay and conditions for approximately 4,800 European food business employees following its merger with McCormick. This period is twice the typical length for such agreements.

Unilever Plc raised its outlook following higher-than-expected second-quarter sales driven by strong demand for Dove soap in key markets like the US and India. Sales growth in emerging markets, particularly for Dove and Rexona, contributed to the improved performance.

McCormick & Company has selected London as a secondary listing location following its acquisition of Unilever Plc’s foods business earlier this year.

The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation will shut down by year-end after its parent company, Magnum Ice Cream Co., cut funding and evicted staff, citing governance issues from an audit. The foundation, which provided $600,000 annually to Vermont organizations, is challenging the decision in a pending lawsuit alleging interference with the brand’s social mission.

Unilever is considering a bid for Thorne, a supplements maker, in a potential $4 billion deal. L Catterton, a private equity firm backed by LVMH, acquired Thorne for $680 million in 2023 and is now seeking a valuation of up to $4 billion.

Ben & Jerry's cofounder Ben Cohen advises young people to pursue passion over financial gain, criticizes billionaires and the parent company's social values, and highlights the importance of purpose-driven work. He notes that Ben & Jerry's was sold to Unilever in 2000 and later spun off into The Magnum Ice Cream Company, which he believes is not upholding the brand's original social mission.

Jamie Laing, founder of Candy Kittens, argues that content creators will build the next Fortune 500 companies, citing the brand's success in competing with legacy confectionery giants like Mars and Nestlé. Candy Kittens acquired snack brand Graze from Unilever for £36m, highlighting Laing's belief in agile, creator-led brands over traditional corporations.

Unilever CEO Fernando Fernández defends the $66 billion combination of its food business with McCormick, stating it is the right step despite upheaval. He argues that staff are not paid to be lazy.

Private equity firms are considering a bid for Magnum, a popular ice cream brand. The potential acquisition is expected to be a significant deal in the industry. Details of the bid have not been disclosed.

Magnum Ice Cream's stock rose 18% after a report of a potential private equity takeover. This comes six months after Magnum Ice Cream Company spun off from Unilever. The spin-off created the world's largest standalone ice cream maker.

Unilever plans to increase the price of OMO laundry detergent products in response to rising costs linked to the war in Iran. The company attributes the price hike to economic pressures stemming from ongoing conflicts in the region.

Unilever's sales increased due to strong demand for Dove hand soap in emerging markets.

Alex Brummer criticizes Unilever investors for being negatively impacted by a market sell-off. The article highlights concerns about investor treatment during financial downturns.

The article discusses McCormick's CEO providing insights into the company's deal with Unilever. The CEO's explanation focuses on strategic business decisions and potential impacts on both organizations.