Unilever’s volumes fall as prices soar

Incoming Unilever (ULVR) chief executive Hein Schumacher, who will take the reins in July, has a lot on his plate. The consumer staples giant’s growth and margins have been underwhelming for some time. Demand for its products – from Marmite to Dove – is struggling with inflation. Add to this the strategic mess that was the failed £50bn approach for GSK’s (GSK) consumer arm and pressure from activist hedge fund Trian Fund Management (its head Nelson Peltz is on the Unilever board), and there are some big issues to get to grips with.