B2B ecommerce drives Unilever in 2022

B2B ecommerce is a digital growth driver for Unilever, one of the biggest and oldest consumer brand manufacturers and the maker of more than 400 products such as Dove soap and Lipton tea.

Total Unilever sales grew about 15% to 29.623 billion pounds (US$35.998 billion) for the first six months of the year from 25.791 billion pounds (US$31.341 billion) from January through June in 2021.

Ecommerce grew 25% in the first half and now represents 14% of total sales, Unilever says. Based on those metrics, experts project that digital Unilever sales totaled $5.039 billion from $4.03 billion in the first half of 2021.

While the company did not break out specific metrics, B2B ecommerce was the primary growth driver for digital Unilever sales, the company says.

Ecommerce grew 25% in the first half, with growth coming from omnichannel retailers and the company’s B2B platforms, according to Unilever CEO Alan Jope. Ecommerce growth has moderated in the U.S. as consumers return to physical stores and the company sees greater number of consumers researching online and then purchasing offline. And that emphasizes the growing importance of digital channels in the path to purchase.

In the first half of 2022, B2B ecommerce grew 69% and is helping to grow overall digital Unilever sales, Ecommerce news reports.

In just five years, ecommerce has grown from 2% of Unilever’s turnover to 14% in the first half. Unilever continues to invest in channel expertise and the right technology and in channel-specific innovation.

Unilever operates multiple B2B platforms such as Compre Ahora, a B2B marketplace in Spain.

Unilever produces 400 food, beverage, cleaning, hygiene, and personal care products sold in 190 countries and used by more than 2.5 billion people every day.