The FMCG giant reported that turnover was down 1.6% to €25.7bn (£23.4bn) in the first half of the year while underlying sales were down 0.1%, beating the 4.3% drop predicted by analysts.

Underlying profit increased 3.8% year on year, while free cash flow climbed €1.3bn to €2.9bn as Unilever shored up its finances in the midst of the pandemic.