MANILA, Philippines - Unilever Philippines said it expects a much higher growth in sales this year compared to last year due to improved consumer purchasing power.
In an interview with The STAR, company chairman and CEO Peter Cowan cited the Magnum brand of ice cream and Dove shampoo as exhibiting more impressive growths.
He said Unilever has at least a 40 percent market share in all industries it operates in.
While it may still take a while before the level of Magnum ice cream sales in the Philippines can justify putting up a manufacturing plant here, Cowan pointed out that “it is on its way there.”
Currently, Magnum ice cream being sold in the Philippines are imported from five other countries that produce the brand.
Magnum ice cream was introduced in the Philippines last February, and the response of Filipinos has been phenomenal, Cowan said.
Cowan also revealed that they expect a better situation in terms of sales for the company next year, being an election year.
In 2010, parent Unilever reported particularly strong performance in the Philippines, with Asia-Pacific delivering double-digit volume growth.