FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF
FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant
to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the
month of December, 2019
UNILEVER
N.V.
(Translation
of registrant's name into English)
WEENA 455, 3013 AL, P.O. BOX 760, 3000 DK, ROTTERDAM, THE
NETHERLANDS
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports
under
cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form
20-F..X.. Form 40-F
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper
as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):_____
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper
as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):_____
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information
contained
in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the
Commission
pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes
No ..X..
If
"Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant
in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
Exhibit
99 attached hereto is incorporated herein by
reference.
Signatures
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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UNILEVER
N.V.
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/S/ R SOTAMAA
BY R SOTAMAA
CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER AND GROUP SECRETARY
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Date:
17 December 2019
EXHIBIT INDEX
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EXHIBIT
NUMBER
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EXHIBIT
DESCRIPTION
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99
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Notice
to Euronext, Amsterdam dated 17
December 2019
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Unilever Sales Update
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Exhibit
99
UNILEVER SALES UPDATE
London / Rotterdam 17 December 2019. Unilever today announces that it expects
underlying sales growth for 2019 to be slightly below its guidance
of the lower half of its 3-5% multi-year range.
This is a result of challenges in the quarter in some markets,
including the economic slowdown in South Asia, one of Unilever's
largest markets, and trading conditions in West Africa remaining
difficult. The trading environment in developed markets
continues to be challenging and while there are early signs of
improving performance in North America, a full recovery there will
take time.
Earnings, margin and cash are not expected to be
impacted.
Alan Jope, Chief Executive Officer: "Due to challenges in certain markets, we expect a
slight miss to our full year underlying sales growth
delivery.
"Looking ahead to 2020, growth will be second-half weighted.
While we expect improvement in H1 2020 versus this quarter, we
expect that first half growth will be below 3%. Our full year
underlying sales growth is expected to be in the lower half of the
multi-year range.
"Growth remains our top priority and we are confident we have the
right strategy and investment in place to step up our
performance."
ENDS
There will be a conference call held at 8am GMT on Tuesday 17th
2019:
UK Freefone: 0800 389
7473 / UK
Direct: 01296 480
180
International direct: +44 1296 480
180
Global access numbers: http://www.btconferencing.com/globalaccess/?bid=54_automated
Passcode: 661 502#
A replay will be available shortly after the call has
finished:
UK Freefone: 0800 032
9687 / UK
Direct: 0207 136
9233
Replay global access: http://www.conferencingsupport.com/globalaccess/?bid=00&itfn=1&ddi=1&ref
Passcode: 22130004
Investor enquiries
+44 20 7822 6830
investor.relations@unilever.com
Media enquiries
(UK) Lucila Zambrano +44 7825 273767 / lucila.zambrano@unilever.com
(UK) Jonathan Sibun +44 7779 999683 / JSibun@tulchangroup.com
(NL) Fleur van Bruggen +31 615 008293 / fleur-van.bruggen@unilever.com
(NL) Els de Bruin +31 10 217 4844 / els-de.bruin@unilever.com
About Unilever
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty &
Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products with
sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2.5 billion consumers a
day. It has 155,000 employees and generated sales of €51
billion in 2018. Over half (60%) of the company's footprint is in
developing and emerging markets. Unilever has around 400 brands
found in homes all over the world, including Dove, Knorr, Dirt Is
Good, Rexona, Hellmann's, Lipton, Wall's, Lux, Magnum,
Axe, Sunsilk and Surf.
Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) underpins the company's
strategy and commits to:
● Helping more than a billion
people take action to improve their health and well-being by
2020.
● Halving the environmental impact
of our products by 2030.
● Enhancing the livelihoods of
millions of people by 2020.
The USLP creates value by driving growth and trust, eliminating
costs and reducing risks. In 2018, the company's Sustainable Living
Brands grew 69% faster than the rest of the business, compared to
46% in 2017.
Since 2010 we have been taking action through the
Unilever Sustainable Living Plan to help more than a billion people
improve their health and well-being, halve our environmental
footprint and enhance the livelihoods of millions of people as we
grow our business. We have already made significant progress and
continue to expand our ambition - most recently committing to
ensure 100% of our plastic packaging is fully reusable, recyclable
or compostable by 2025. While there is still more to do, we
are proud to have been recognised in 2019 as a
leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and as the
top ranked company in the GlobeScan/SustainAbility Global
Corporate Sustainability Leaders survey, since
2011.
For more information about Unilever and its brands, please
visit www.unilever.com.
For more information on the USLP: www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/
Safe Harbour
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including
'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such
as 'will', 'aim', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'looks',
'believes', 'vision', or the negative of these terms and other
similar expressions of future performance or results, and their
negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current
expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and
other factors affecting the Unilever Group (the 'Group'). They are
not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future
performance.
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements. Among other risks and
uncertainties, the material or principal factors which could cause
actual results to differ materially are: Unilever's global brands
not meeting consumer preferences; Unilever's ability to innovate
and remain competitive; Unilever's investment choices in its
portfolio management; inability to find sustainable solutions to
support long-term growth including to plastic packaging; the effect
of climate change on Unilever's business; significant changes or
deterioration in customer relationships; the recruitment and
retention of talented employees; disruptions in our supply chain
and distribution; increases or volatility in the cost of raw
materials and commodities; the production of safe and high quality
products; secure and reliable IT infrastructure; execution of
acquisitions, divestitures and business transformation projects;
economic, social and political risks and natural disasters;
financial risks; failure to meet high and ethical standards; and
managing regulatory, tax and legal matters. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Except
as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release
publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations
with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based. Further details
of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are
described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange,
Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission,
including in the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2018 and the Unilever
Annual Report and Accounts 2018.