Unilever Is Said to Consider Potential Separation of Food (2)

Unilever Plc, the maker of Hellmann’s mayonnaise, is in the early stages of considering a separation of its food assets as it seeks growth from beauty, personal care and wellbeing brands, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The Anglo-Dutch consumer group is speaking with advisers as it studies future options for streamlining its sprawling portfolio, including a potential separation of most or all of the food business, the people said. That would sharpen Unilever’s focus on brands such as Dove soap and Axe deodorant.

The company is in the preliminary stages of weighing possibilities such as spinning off ...