Unilever manufactures products for the nutrition, health and beauty, and home care industries. The company faces industry issues of economic pressures, high commodity prices, and increased competitor focus. The sustainability issues include food security, poverty reduction, and sustainability of resources, climate change, as well as social and economic development. Unilever expects these issues to continue for the medium term as volatility and uncertainty have become a new norm. (Annual Report and Accounts 2011)

Economic pressures dominated 2011. There was major instability in the Eurozone and a weak recovery by the U.S. economy. Unemployment remained high in developed countries causing consumer spending to be continually squeezed. Commodity prices remained high with many rising even more. Competitor focus increased on the operational environment in emerging markets. There were a number of natural disasters in 2011. This required Unilever to respond to the societies in a humanitarian level. Employer and operational levels were...
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