Unilever Zimbabwe has embarked on a marketing drive targeting small retail shops and tuckshops in a move aimed at increasing its supply chain to 2 400 stores by the end of the year.
It currently supplies 1 200 stores. In an interview on the sidelines of a lecture to University of Zimbabwe students on Wednesday, Unilever Zimbabwe managing director Nancy Guzha confirmed the development.
We are on an aggressive growth and plan to have at least 2 400 stores, she said.
We are currently one of the largest fast-moving consumer goods group in the country.
Unilever executive vice-president Frank Braeken said the effects of hyperinflation had severely affected the companys local operations.
He, however, said the local unit was on a recovery path.
We are recovering and we are pleased with Unilever Zimbabwe, said Braeken.
He said most of the leading global brands were shifting their focus from developed markets to developing countries.
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If you are a company interested in growing you will be in Africa. Africa has grown more than Europe, Braeken said.
Zimbabwe has much potential as a manufacturer to be able to export to other countries.
On that basis, developing markets will account for 75% of the total world gross domestic product growth at $7,9 trillion of $10 trillion incremental from 2007 to 2010.
He said Africa was already the worlds third fastest growing region behind Asia and the Middle East. Africa consumption has grown by $275 billion since 2000, similar to Brazil and more than India. Braeken said the emerging middle class would lead to a surge in consumption.
In 2010 Unilevers global turnover was 43,9 billion.
