Unilever Sales Growth Slows

LONDON--Consumer-products giant Unilever PLC reported Tuesday its first slowdown in full-year sales growth since 2009, a clear indication that the drop off in emerging markets is starting to affect the performances of major companies.

Still, the Anglo-Dutch company reported profit of EUR4.84 billion ($6.56 billion) in the year ended Dec. 31, up slightly from EUR4.37 billion in 2012, on revenue 3% lower at EUR49.78 billion.

Unilever sells a wide range of food and household products including Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Dove soap and Axe deodorant. It makes close to 60% of its sales in China, India and other emerging markets--a significantly higher proportion than the 39% of Procter & Gamble Co., the world's No. 1 consumer-goods company.

Underlying sales growth--a measure of growth adjusted for acquisitions and disposals--slowed for the first time since 2009 as economic uncertainty in emerging markets hampered the ability of customers to spend on consumer products.

Growth in Unilever's personal-care category, which accounts for around 35% of sales and is a key part of its emerging-markets presence, slowed to 7.3% from 10%, the first slowdown in six years.

"Looking forward, we anticipate ongoing volatility in the external environment and are positioning Unilever accordingly," said Chief Executive Paul Polman.

Write to Peter Evans at [e-mail]

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