Unilever overcomes cost pressures

Consumer products giant Unilever today said price hikes and a strict savings plan had helped offset soaring commodity costs in the third quarter.

The Dove-to-Lipton Tea maker said steps to counteract “sharply” rising costs in the three months to the end of September helped drive a better-than-expected 4.5% growth in underlying sales.

But performance in the UK was “mixed” with the group losing market share in the hair care and laundry sectors, while seeing improved sales for food dressings and deodorants.