Unilever said that it will close the Alberto Culver factory in Swansea at the end of this year with the loss of 225 jobs. Unilever staff in Swansea are being offered enhanced discretionary redundancy terms where redundancies are unavoidable. The company is also offering performance bonuses to recognise ongoing contribution being made by employees in the period leading towards the closure of the site. Unilever is closing its Swansea site to focus on the creation of a £40 million hub at Port Sunlight in The Wirral.

Chile's national economic crimes attorney FNE launched a case against Unilever recently over unfair commercial practices in the washing powder segment, whilst Comercial Canada Chemicals (which produces the Fullmatic washing up powder brand) has also entered the fray. The latter has stated that Unilever has been violating free competition, damaging Comercial Canada Chemicals operations, and stressed that the maximum fine of USD 20 million (EUR 15.37 million) should be imposed. Comercial Canada Chemicals has called on authorities to clamp down on Unilever's anti-competitive practices immediately. Unilever has reportedly used its dominant market position, creating artificial barriers and preventing firms from breaking into traditional sales channels, wholesale and supermarkets. Comercial Canada Chemicals has seen its market share fall as a result, as Fullmatic has been excluded from six supermarket chains.

The Unilever Group announced audited consolidated earnings results for the year ended December 31, 2012. For the period, turnover was EUR 51,324 million against EUR 46,467 million in the same period a year ago. Operating profit was EUR 6,989 million against EUR 6,433 million in the same period a year ago. Profit before taxation was EUR 6,683 million against EUR 6,245 million in the same period a year ago. Net profit attributable to the equity shareholders was EUR 4,480 million or EUR 1.54 per diluted share against EUR 4,252 million or EUR 1.46 per diluted share in the same period a year ago. Net cash flow from operating activities EUR 6,836 million against EUR 5,452 million in the same period a year ago. Purchase of intangible assets was EUR 405 million against EUR 264 million in the same period a year ago. Purchase of property, plant and equipment was EUR 1,975 million against EUR 1,835 million in the same period a year ago.