Unilever's Posts Double-Digit Gains

Once again, Unilever showed that it knows a thing or two about selling shampoo and soap bars in emerging markets. Led by sales gains in India, Brazil and other growth countries, the Anglo-Dutch consumer products giant reported 2012 sales rose 10.5% to 51.3 billion euros ($68 billion). Earnings per share jumped 11% to 1.57 euros. The results drove Unilever's share price to an all-time high in mid-afternoon trading in Europe.

In a conference call with reporters, Unilever executives took the time to single out strong sales of hair care products and soaps in emerging markets such as Latin America and Asia.

"We're making much clearer choices—allocating resources, and concentrating where we see the most potential," said Jean-Marc Huet, chief executive officer, in a conference call. "It could be the launch of Tresemme in Brazil, Indonesia, India. It could be the launch of this product in the U.S., Magnum (ice cream) in the Philippines, Bertolli Gold (olive oil spread) in the Nordics, the UK - the list continues."

Top-selling products in 2012 included Dove Damage Therapy hair care and Rexona Maximum Protection deodorant.