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Acquisitions and disposals
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [abstract]  
Acquisitions and disposals 22. Acquisitions and disposals
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition accounting method as at the acquisition date, which is the date at which control is transferred to
the Group.
Goodwill is measured at the acquisition date as the fair value of consideration transferred, plus non-controlling interests and the fair value of any previously held
equity interests less the net recognised amount (which is generally fair value) of the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is subject to an annual
review for impairment (or more frequently if necessary) in accordance with our accounting policies. Any impairment is charged to the income statement as it
arises. Detailed information relating to goodwill is provided in note 9 on pages 152 to 154.
Non-controlling interests are valued based on the proportion of net assets of the acquired company at the date of acquisition.
Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
Changes in ownership that do not result in a change of control are accounted for as equity transactions and therefore do not have any impact on goodwill. The
difference between consideration and the non-controlling share of net assets acquired is recognised within equity.
2025
In 2025, the Group completed the business acquisitions and disposals as listed below:
Deal completion date
Acquired/disposed business
1 April 2025
Acquired 100% of Wild, a UK-based company known for its natural, refillable deodorants, lip balms, body washes
and handwashes.
1 April 2025
Sold Conimex brand to Paulig Group.
1 April 2025
Acquired the remaining 20% of Nutraceutical Wellness, Inc. (Nutrafol), bringing the Group’s ownership to 100%.
21 April 2025
HUL acquired 90.5% of Minimalist, an India-based premium actives-led beauty brand.
2 September 2025
Acquired 98.7% of Dr. Squatch, a US-based brand specialising in natural personal care products.
In addition to the transactions listed above, in the first quarter of 2026, Unilever completed the disposals of the Graze and Indonesia Tea businesses. Unilever also
announced in January 2026 the agreement to sell its Home Care businesses in Colombia and Ecuador; the transactions are expected to close during 2026.
Dr. Squatch Acquisition
On 2 September 2025, Unilever acquired 98.7% of the shares of Dr. Squatch, a US-based company specialising in natural personal care products. This
complementary acquisition marks another step in expanding Unilever’s portfolio towards premium and high-growth spaces. The total consideration paid was €1,243
million.
The provisional fair value of net assets recognised on the balance sheet is €614 million. All balances are currently provisional, pending the completion of the asset
valuation review. The main asset acquired was the brand intangible valued using an income approach model by estimating future cash flows generated by the brand
and discounting them to present value using rates in line with a market participant expectation. The key assumptions in the brand valuation are revenue growth and
discount rates. A deferred tax liability related to the brand intangible estimated at €170 million was also recognised. As part of the acquisition, goodwill of €637 million
was recognised and is not deductible for tax purposes.
2024
In 2024, the Group completed the business acquisitions and disposals as listed below:
Deal completion date
Acquired/disposed business
1 February 2024
Acquired 91.88% of K18, a US-based premium hair care brand. The acquisition complements Unilever’s existing Beauty &
Wellbeing portfolio, with a range of high-quality, hair care products.
1 June 2024
Sold Elida Beauty to Yellow Wood Partners LLC. Elida Beauty comprises more than 20 beauty and personal care brands, such
as Q-Tips, Caress, Timotei and TIGI.
1 August 2024
Sold Qinyuan Group (also known as ’Truliva’) to Yong Chao Venture Capital Co., Ltd. Qinyuan Group offers a range of water
purification solutions to households in China.
8 October 2024
Sold the Russian subsidiary to Arnest Group. The sale includes all of Unilever’s business in Russia and its four factories in the
country, along with our business in Belarus.
1 November 2024
Sold Pureit to A.O. Smith. Pureit offers a range of water purification solutions across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam
and Mexico, among others.
EFFECT ON CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
If the acquisition deals completed in 2025 had all taken place at the beginning of the year, Group turnover would have been €50,861 million, and Group operating
profit would have been €9,047 million. In 2024, if all of the acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of the year, Group turnover for 2024 would have been
52,490 million and Group operating profit would have been €8,831 million.
22. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS continued
EFFECT ON CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
Acquisitions
The following table sets out the effect of acquisitions on the consolidated balance sheet in 2025, as well as the comparative year. The fair values currently used for
opening balances are provisional. These balances remain provisional due to there being outstanding relevant information in regard to facts and circumstances that
existed as of the acquisition date and/or where valuation work is still ongoing.
€ million
2025
€ million
2024
Intangible assets
1,109
382
Other non-current assets
67
14
Trade and other receivables
66
15
Other current assets(a)
134
36
Non-current liabilities(b)
(311)
(99)
Current liabilities
(85)
(15)
Net assets acquired
980
333
Non-controlling interest
(30)
(27)
Goodwill(c)
784
310
Total consideration
1,734
616
of which:
Cash
1,687
616
Deferred consideration
47
(a)2025 includes inventories of €103 million and cash and cash equivalents of €27 million.
(b)2025 includes deferred tax of €290 million (2024: €99 million).
(c)Goodwill not deductible for tax purposes.
Goodwill represents the future value that the Group believes it will obtain through operational synergies and the application of acquired company ideas to existing
Unilever channels and businesses. Detailed information relating to goodwill is provided in note 9 on pages 152 to 154.
Disposals
The following table sets out the effect of disposals on the consolidated balance sheet in 2025, as well as the comparative year. The results of disposed businesses
are included in the consolidated financial statements up until their date of disposal.
€ million
2025
€ million
2024
Goodwill and intangible assets(a)
71
1,107
Other non-current assets
27
218
Current assets
8
700
Liabilities
(1)
(683)
Net assets sold
105
1,342
Loss on recycling of currency retranslation on disposal
24
545
Non-controlling interest
0
(85)
Profit/(loss) on sale attributable to Unilever
(36)
(406)
Total consideration
93
1,396
of which:
Cash
93
1,299
Non-cash items and deferred consideration
0
97
(a)2025 includes intangibles of €56 million relating to the disposals of of The Vegetarian Butcher, Kate Somerville and Conimex businesses (2024 includes intangibles of €984 million relating
to the disposals of the Elida Beauty, Russia and Truliva businesses).