Unilever sales boosted by new products

Consumer goods giant Unilever today said it had boosted sales in "challenging" markets as a promotional push and new products lifted trading.

The Dove-to-Knorr group grew underlying sales by 3.4% in the three months to September 30 after upping its advertising spend and launching products such as a new range of Lipton teas and Surf detergent in the UK.

Chief executive Paul Polman said: "Market conditions remain challenging and in this environment we will continue to increase investment behind our brands."

Unilever - home to a host of household staples such as Flora spread and Domestos detergent - has also been helped by lower commodity costs this year, easing pricing pressure.

Sales volumes across the group were up 3.6% during the period, much higher than the 1.4% seen for the first nine months as a whole.