Staff Reports
Unilever, the British consumer goods company, is shaking things up by bidding adieu to its ice cream business and spinning off popular brands like Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum. This move is all part of Unilever’s Growth Action Plan, which aims to streamline its focus and deliver top-notch products. The company is saying ta-ta to Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Cornetto, and Wall’s in order to unlock even more potential for their business and become a world-leading consumer goods company.
CEO Hein Schumacher is all aboard the simplification train, believing that it will pave the way for increased productivity and help position Unilever as a powerhouse in the industry. But this separation won’t happen overnight. Unilever is set to part ways with these ice cream brands by the end of 2025. Unfortunately, this shake-up will have an impact on about 7,500 jobs worldwide, mostly in office settings.
This 4th of July, it's high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it. Learn more and take action now: https://t.co/45smaBmORH pic.twitter.com/a6qp7LXUAE
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) July 4, 2023
The decision to spin off Ben & Jerry’s couldn’t come at a better time for Unilever, especially after the brand cooked up some controversy online. Their social media post about the United States being founded on “stolen Indigenous land” stirred up quite the commotion, with calls for a boycott and a hefty $2 billion hit in shares. Plus, the New York State Common Retirement Fund bid adieu to $111 million in investments due to Ben & Jerry’s boycott of Israel in 2021. Ouch!
Unilever isn’t a stranger to shedding brands, having previously parted ways with Dollar Shave Club and Elida Beauty. And when asked for a comment, Ben & Jerry’s kept their lips sealed. Looks like the chilly relationship between Unilever and their ice cream brands is starting to melt away.
