Accounting information and policies (Policies) |
12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclosure Of Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basis of consolidation | BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION Group companies included in the consolidated financial statements for 2025 are Unilever PLC (’PLC’) and all subsidiary undertakings, which are those entities controlled by PLC. Control exists when the Group has the power to direct the activities of an entity so as to affect the return on investment. The net assets and results of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains control. The results of disposed businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements up to their date of disposal, being the date control ceases. Intra-group transactions and balances are eliminated.
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| Companies legislation and accounting standards | COMPANY LEGISLATION AND ACCOUNTING STANDARDS The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), and UK-adopted international accounting standards. The consolidated financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. These financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise indicated.
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| Going concern | GOING CONCERN These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Group has considerable financial resources together with established business relationships with many customers and suppliers in countries throughout the world. The Directors considered the Group’s overall financial position, exposure to principal risks and future business forecasts. Specifically, they ensured that the expected cash flows from those forecasts were sufficient to cover its obligations for the next 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements. This also included sensitivity considerations should the Group face an adverse environment leading to reduced sales growth and operating margins versus forecasts. We describe in notes managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to credit and liquidity risk. The Group has credit facilities available to raise short-term financing if necessary. In conclusion, the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully and meet its obligations for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements.
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| Accounting policies | ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accounting policies adopted are the same as those which were applied for the previous financial year except as set out below under the heading ‘Recent accounting developments’. Accounting policies are included in the relevant notes to the consolidated financial statements. These are presented as text highlighted in grey on pages statements.
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| Foreign currencies | FOREIGN CURRENCIES The consolidated financial statements are presented in euros. Items included in the financial statements of individual group companies are recorded in their respective functional currency, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which each entity operates. Foreign currency transactions in individual group companies are translated into functional currency using exchange rates at the date of the transaction. Foreign exchange gains and losses from settlement of these transactions, and from translation of monetary assets and liabilities at year-end exchange rates, are recognised in the income statement except when deferred in equity as qualifying hedges. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the balances in individual group companies are translated from their functional currency into euros. Apart from the financial statements of group companies in hyperinflationary economies (see below), the income statement, the cash flow statement and all other movements in assets and liabilities are translated at average rates of exchange as a proxy for the transaction rate, or at the transaction rate itself if more appropriate. Assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates. The financial statements of group companies whose functional currency is the currency of a hyperinflationary economy are adjusted for inflation and then translated into euros using the balance sheet exchange rate. Amounts shown for prior years for comparative purposes are not modified. To determine the existence of hyperinflation, the Group assesses the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the economic environment of the country, such as the cumulative inflation rate over the previous three years. Effective from 1 January 2024, the functional currency of the Group’s ultimate parent company, Unilever PLC (’PLC’) changed from sterling to euro. There was no impact on the presentation of the Group results or restatements to the Group financial statements as a result of this change. As at 31 December 2023, the ordinary share capital of PLC was translated to euro using the historical rate at the date the shares were issued (see note 15B The effect of exchange rate changes during the year on net assets of foreign operations is recorded in equity. For this purpose, net assets include loans between group companies and any related foreign exchange contracts where settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future. The Group applies hedge accounting to certain exchange differences arising between the functional currencies of a foreign operation and the functional currency of the parent entity, regardless of whether the net investment is held directly or through an intermediate parent. Differences arising on retranslation of a financial liability designated as a foreign currency net investment hedge are recorded in equity to the extent that the hedge is effective. These differences are reported within profit or loss to the extent that the hedge is ineffective. Cumulative exchange differences arising since the date of transition to IFRS of 1 January 2004 are reported as a separate component of other reserves. In the event of disposal or part disposal of an interest in a group company either through sale or as a result of a repayment of capital, the cumulative exchange difference is recognised in the income statement as part of the profit or loss on disposal of group companies.
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| Hyperinflationary economies | HYPERINFLATIONARY ECONOMIES The Argentinian economy was designated as hyperinflationary from 1 July 2018 and the Turkish economy was designated as hyperinflationary from 1 July 2022. As a result, application of IAS 29 ‘Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies’ has been applied to all Unilever entities whose functional currency is the Argentinian peso or the Turkish lira. The application of IAS 29 includes: ■adjustment of historical cost non-monetary assets and liabilities for the change in purchasing power caused by inflation from the date of initial recognition to the balance sheet date; ■adjustment of the income statement for inflation during the reporting period; ■translation of income statement at the period-end foreign exchange rate instead of an average rate; and ■adjustment of the income statement to reflect the impact of inflation and exchange rate movement on holding monetary assets and liabilities in local currency. The main effects on the Group consolidated financial statements (including discontinued operations) for 2025 are:
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| Assets and liabilities held for sale and discontinued operations | ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS A disposal group is classified as held for sale or distribution when its carrying amount is expected to be recovered principally through a sale or distribution to shareholders rather than through continuing use. A discontinued operation is a component of the Group that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale or distribution and represents a separate major line of business. In accordance with IFRS 5, the results of discontinued operations are presented separately in the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of cash flows and related notes. Comparative information is re-presented to exclude the results of discontinued operations. The Ice Cream business met the criteria to be classified as held for distribution in December 2025, following the Board’s formal approval of the demerger. At that point, the distribution was considered highly probable and the internal separation of the Ice Cream territories had been completed, meaning the business was available for distribution in its current condition. As a former reportable segment and major line of business, all Ice Cream activities have been treated as discontinued operations in both current and comparative periods. In line with IFRS 5, we have disclosed separately in the income statement, statement of comprehensive income and cash flow statement results arising from continuing and discontinued operations. 2023 and 2024 comparatives have been re-presented on the same basis. There has been no change to the 2023 and 2024 balance sheet related amounts, including where balance sheet line item reconciliations have been disclosed within the notes. Further details and a breakdown of discontinued operations are provided in note 21.
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| Climate change | CLIMATE CHANGE In preparing these consolidated financial statements, we have considered the impact of both physical and transition climate change risks, and any planned mitigations, on the current valuation of our assets and liabilities. We have identified risks and opportunities that could in the future be material to our business, for example carbon tax or land use regulations. Where possible we have performed quantitative assessments of these risks and opportunities based on various scenarios for the years 2030, 2039 and 2050. These potential financial impacts are based on high-level quantitative assessments and do not include any assumptions on the impact of actions that we would undertake to mitigate against these climate-related risks. Therefore, these quantifications do not represent any type of financial forecast and thus are not directly incorporated into any projections of long-term cash flows. To determine if there is a material impact on the financial reporting judgements and estimates as of the reporting period, we have reviewed each balance sheet line item and identified those line items that have the potential to be significantly impacted by climate-related risks and our plans to mitigate against these risks. Those line items that have the potential to be significantly impacted have then been reviewed in detail to confirm: ■that the growth rates and projected cash flows, used in assessing whether our goodwill and indefinite-life intangibles are impaired, are consistent with our climate- related risk assumptions and the actions we are taking to mitigate against those risks; and ■that the useful lives of our property, plant and equipment are appropriate given the potential physical and obsolescence risks associated with climate change and the actions we are taking to mitigate against those risks. In addition, it should be noted that climate-related risks could affect the financial position of our defined benefit pension plan assets. The Trustees operate diversified investment strategies and are continuously assessing investment risks. The Trustees consider climate risk as one of the key investment risks and are continually evolving their investments to lower the overall climate risk. From our review of key financial statement areas, including impairment assessments, cash flow forecasts and asset valuations, we have not identified any material impact on financial reporting judgements or estimates as at 31 December 2025. Based on the Group’s overall financial position, its exposure to principal risks which include climate change, and its future business forecasts, the Group is well placed to manage these risks and meet its obligations. Consequently, we have not identified any significant impact from climate‑related risks on the Group’s going concern assessment or on its viability over the next three years. For many years, Unilever has driven an ambitious sustainability agenda. In 2024, we launched an updated business strategy focusing on resource allocation, accelerating long-term priorities and delivering systemic impact. Delivery of our strategy is supported by our Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP), which outlines our mitigation, adaptation and advocacy actions to address climate- related risks. The CTAP is being reviewed in 2026 as a result the demerger of Ice Cream and to consider impacts beyond 2030. The costs and benefits of existing actions are embedded into the cost structures of the Business Groups and therefore are not all separately identifiable. None of these actions have significantly impacted the value of the Group’s assets or their useful lives, and while there is still much to do, our aim is to continue to reduce our exposure to climate-related risks without impacting the value of the Group’s assets. However, we recognise that the climate emergency is intensifying, with scientific consensus indicating that the 1.5°C threshold has now been reached, and that governments are responding with increasingly urgent and science-aligned policy targets. We will continue to closely monitor evolving regulatory developments and assess any resulting implications on the valuations of our assets and liabilities in future years.
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| Critical accounting estimates and judgements | CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgements in the application of accounting policies that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and judgements are continuously evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future period affected. The following estimate is considered by management to have the most significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year: ■Measurement of defined benefit obligations – the valuations of the Group’s defined benefit pension plan obligations are dependent on a number of assumptions. These include discount rates, inflation and life expectancy of scheme members. Details of these assumptions and sensitivities are in note 4B. The following judgements are those that management believe have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the Group’s financial statements: ■Utilisation of tax losses and recognition of other deferred tax assets – the Group operates in many countries and is subject to taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Management uses judgement to assess the recoverability of tax assets such as whether there will be sufficient future taxable profits to utilise losses. See note 6B. ■Likelihood of occurrence of provisions and contingent liabilities – events can occur where there is uncertainty over future obligations. Judgement is required to determine if an outflow of economic resources is probable, or possible but not probable. Where it is probable, a liability is recognised and further judgement is used to determine the level of the provision. Where it is possible but not probable, further judgement is used to determine if the likelihood is remote, in which case no disclosures are provided; if the likelihood is not remote then judgement is used to determine the contingent liability disclosed. Unilever does not have provisions and contingent liabilities for the same matters. External advice is obtained for any material cases. See notes 6A, 19 and 20. ■Non-cash distribution to owners – the demerger of the Ice Cream business was executed through a distribution of shares in The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) to Unilever shareholders on 6 December 2025. A liability for the non-cash distribution was recognised when the distribution was authorised and no longer at the Group’s discretion, measured at the fair value of the assets to be distributed at that date. The distribution was settled on completion of the demerger, at which point the disposal group was derecognised. Judgement was required in determining the fair value of the Ice Cream business at the distribution date for the purpose of recognising the non-cash dividend in accordance with IFRIC 17 Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners. Management determined fair value with reference to the TMICC share price over a five-day period following listing. The resulting non-cash gain is recognised within profit or loss, within the result from discontinued operations. See note 21. ■Accounting for the retained stake in TMICC – management applied judgement in determining that Unilever does not hold significant influence over TMICC, and therefore TMICC is not an associate requiring accounting under the equity method. Whilst it is presumed that significant influence does not exist with a holding of less than 20 percent, careful consideration was given to the representation of Unilever on the board of TMICC, and material ongoing transactions between Unilever and TMICC.
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| Accounting developments adopted by the Group | ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS ADOPTED BY THE GROUP Recent accounting developments adopted by the Group All new standards or amendments issued by the IASB and UK Endorsement Board that were effective by 1 January 2025, were either not applicable or not material to the Group. New standards, amendments and interpretations of existing standards that are not yet effective and have not been early adopted by the Group The following standards have been released but are not yet adopted by the Group. The Group is currently assessing their impact on the financial results and position of the Group.
All other new standards or amendments that are not yet effective that have been issued by the IASB are not applicable or material to Unilever.
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| Segment information |
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| Operating costs |
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| Pensions and similar obligations |
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| Share-based compensation plans |
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| Net finance costs |
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| Income tax |
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| Deferred tax |
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| Earnings per share |
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| Dividends on ordinary capital |
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| Goodwill and intangible assets |
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| Property, plant and equipment |
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| Other non-current assets |
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| Inventories |
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| Trade and other current receivables |
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| Trade payables and other liabilities | Trade payables Trade payables are initially recognised at fair value less any directly attributable transaction costs. Trade payables are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method. Other liabilities Other liabilities are initially recognised at fair value less any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent measurement depends on the type of liability: ■accruals are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method; ■social security and sundry taxes are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method; ■deferred consideration is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in the income statement as explained below; and ■others are subsequently measured either at amortised cost, using the effective interest method or at fair value, with changes being recognised in the income statement. |
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| Deferred consideration | Deferred consideration Deferred consideration represents any payments to the sellers of a business that occur after the acquisition date. These typically comprise contingent consideration and fixed deferred consideration: ■fixed deferred consideration is a payment with a due date after acquisition that is not dependent on future conditions; and ■contingent consideration is a payment which is dependent on certain conditions being met in the future and is often variable. All deferred consideration is initially recognised at fair value as at the acquisition date, which includes a present value discount. Subsequently, deferred consideration is measured to reflect the unwinding of discount on the liability, with changes recognised in finance cost within the income statement. In the balance sheet, it is remeasured to reflect the latest estimate of the achievement of the conditions on which the consideration is based; changes in value other than the discount unwind are recognised as acquisition and disposal-related costs in the income statement. |
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| Ordinary shares | Ordinary shares Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares are recognised as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects. |
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| Unification reserve | Unification reserve The Group recognised a separate Unification Reserve within Equity as a result of PLC Share Premium that arose from Unification. |
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| Other reserves | Other reserves Other reserves include the fair value reserve, the foreign currency translation reserve, the capital redemption reserve and treasury shares. |
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| Shares held by employee share trusts and group companies | Shares held by employee share trusts and group companies An employee share trust and group companies purchase and hold shares to satisfy performance shares granted and other share awards (see note 4C). The assets and liabilities of the trust and shares held by the trust and group companies are included in the consolidated financial statements. The book value of shares held is deducted from other reserves, and the trust’s borrowings are included in the Group’s liabilities. The costs of the trust are included in the results of the Group. The shares held by the trust and group companies are excluded from the calculation of earnings per share. |
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| Financial liabilities | Financial liabilities Financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value, less any directly related transaction costs. When bonds are designated as being part of a fair value hedge relationship, in those cases bonds are carried at amortised cost, adjusted for the fair value of the risk being hedged, with changes in value shown in the income statement. Put options are initially recognised at the present value of the expected gross obligation, with changes in value being recognised in the income statement. Other financial liabilities, which includes put options, are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the exception of: ■financial liabilities which the Group has elected to measure at fair value through profit or loss; ■contingent consideration recognised by an acquirer in a business combination to which IFRS 3 applies. Such contingent consideration is subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. |
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| Lease liabilities | Lease liabilities Lease liabilities are initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not yet paid at the start of the lease term. This is discounted using an appropriate borrowing rate determined by the Group, where none is readily available in the lease contract. The lease liability is subsequently reduced by cash payments and increased by interest costs. The lease liability is remeasured when the Group assesses that there will be a change in the amount expected to be paid during the lease term. |
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| Derivatives and hedge accounting |
(a)Applying hedge accounting has not led to material ineffectiveness being recognised in the income statement for both 2025 and 2024. Fair value changes on basis spread is recorded in a separate account within equity.
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| Cash and cash equivalents | Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet include deposits, investments in money market funds and highly liquid investments. To be classified as cash and cash equivalents, an asset must: ■be readily convertible into cash; ■have an insignificant risk of changes in value; and ■have a maturity period of typically three months or less at acquisition. Cash and cash equivalents in the cash flow statement also include bank overdrafts and are recorded at amortised cost. |
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| Other financial assets | Other financial assets The Group classifies its financial assets into the following measurement categories: ■those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income, or through profit or loss), and ■those to be measured at amortised cost. This classification depends on our business model for managing the financial asset and the contractual terms of the cash flows. At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets carried at fair value through profit or loss are expensed in the income statement. All financial assets are either debt instruments or equity instruments. Debt instruments are those that provide the Group with a contractual right to receive cash or another asset. Equity instruments are those where the Group has no contractual right to receive cash or another asset. |
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| Debt instruments | Debt instruments The subsequent measurement of debt instruments depends on the Group’s business model for managing the asset and the cash flow characteristics of the asset. There are three measurement categories that debt instruments are classified as: ■financial assets at amortised cost; ■financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income; or ■financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. (i) Amortised cost Assets measured at amortised cost are those which are held to collect contractual cash flows on the repayment of principal or interest (SPPI). A gain or loss on a debt investment recognised at amortised cost on derecognition or impairment is recognised in the income statement. Interest income is recognised within finance income using the effective interest rate method. (ii) Fair value through other comprehensive income Assets that are held at fair value through other comprehensive income are those that are held to collect contractual cash flows on the repayment of principal and interest and which are held to recognise a capital gain through the sale of the asset. Movements in the carrying amount are recognised in other comprehensive income except for the recognition of impairment, interest income and foreign exchange gains or losses which are recognised in the income statement. On derecognition, the cumulative gain or loss recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to the income statement. Interest income is included in finance income using the effective interest rate method. (iii) Fair value through profit or loss Assets that do not meet the criteria for either amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income are measured as fair value through profit or loss. Related transaction costs are expensed as incurred. Unless they form part of a hedging relationship, these assets are held at fair value, with changes being recognised in the income statement. Interest income from these assets is included within finance income. |
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| Equity instruments | Equity instruments The Group subsequently measures all equity instruments at fair value. Where the Group has elected to present fair value gains and losses on equity investments in other comprehensive income, there is no subsequent reclassification of fair value gains or losses to profit or loss. Dividends from these investments continue to be recognised in the income statement. |
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| Impairment of financial assets | Impairment of financial assets Financial instruments classified as amortised cost and debt instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income are assessed for impairment. The Group assesses the probability of default of an asset at initial recognition and then whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk on an ongoing basis. To assess whether there is a significant increase in credit risk, the Group compares the risk of a default occurring on the asset as at the reporting date with the risk of default as at the date of initial recognition. It considers available reasonable and supportive forward-looking information. Macroeconomic information (such as market interest rates or growth rates) is also considered. Financial assets are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery, such as a debtor failing to engage in a repayment plan with the company. Impairment losses on assets classified as amortised cost are recognised in the income statement. When a later event causes the impairment losses to decrease, the reduction in impairment loss is also recognised in the income statement. Permanent impairment losses on debt instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income are recognised in the income statement. |
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| Provisions |
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| Commitments and contingent liabilities |
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| Acquisitions and disposals | Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition accounting method as at the acquisition date, which is the date at which control is transferred to the Group. Goodwill is measured at the acquisition date as the fair value of consideration transferred, plus non-controlling interests and the fair value of any previously held equity interests less the net recognised amount (which is generally fair value) of the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is subject to an annual review for impairment (or more frequently if necessary) in accordance with our accounting policies. Any impairment is charged to the income statement as it Non-controlling interests are valued based on the proportion of net assets of the acquired company at the date of acquisition. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. Changes in ownership that do not result in a change of control are accounted for as equity transactions and therefore do not have any impact on goodwill. The difference between consideration and the non-controlling share of net assets acquired is recognised within equity. |
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| Related party transactions |
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| Events after the balance sheet date | Where events occurring after the balance sheet date provide evidence of conditions that existed at the end of the reporting period, the impact of these events is adjusted within the financial statements. Otherwise, events after the balance sheet date of a material size or nature are disclosed below. |
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