Unilever International is gearing up for a significant expansion of its product offerings, focusing on Korean beauty products, sustainable home care innovations, and foods tailored to diaspora communities worldwide, according to its CEO, Aseem Puri."Unilever International is a unique business we started 10 years ago with the mission to serve underserved markets", Puri explained. "We have established a global distribution network spanning over 200 markets, with nearly half of these being what we consider challenging markets".
To effectively reach these diverse regions, Unilever International has developed a specialized infrastructure encompassing supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing. This tailored approach allows the company to meet the distinct needs of consumers in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
One of the company’s notable successes has been its lip care portfolio, which was first launched in Korea. "The lip care range we introduced in Korea was a phenomenal success", Puri noted. "Its popularity in Korea prompted us to roll it out globally, and it has been well-received in markets across North America, Latin America, Arabia, the Pacific islands, and Europe".
In addition to beauty products, Unilever International is also focusing on catering to diaspora communities worldwide. By offering products that resonate with the cultural preferences of these communities, the company has unlocked new opportunities for growth. For instance, a non-liquid chili seasoning from the Philippines has gained significant traction in North America. "The seasoning has not only been popular among Filipinos but also among Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian consumers in the U.S.", Puri shared.
Looking ahead, Unilever International aims to continue expanding its portfolio of Korean beauty products, introduce sustainable home care innovations, and enhance offerings for diaspora communities. The company is also focused on addressing the market demand for both premium and affordable products.
"We observe a strong polarization in the market, with a need for both premium and mass, affordable products", Puri noted. Unilever is introducing premium brands in markets like India through e-commerce while also offering affordable options such as bar soaps in Africa.
With these strategic expansions, Unilever International is poised to strengthen its global footprint, bringing diverse and innovative products to consumers around the world.