If you have noticed your shampoo, deodorant and body wash costing more lately, brace yourself. Unilever, the company behind Dove, Axe and Vaseline, has told investors that prices will keep climbing into 2027.
The company’s chief executive, Fernando Fernandez, put it plainly. He said, “We definitely expect pricing in 2027 to be higher than the one of the average 2026.”
Here is what the company said, which other big brands are signaling similar moves and how to protect your grocery budget.
The comments came as Unilever reported its third-quarter results on October 28, 2026, which you can read about in this report on the results.
Unilever Expects Price Increases To Grow In Q4 And In 2027
The company says it expects its price increases to grow in the fourth quarter and again in 2027, as it passes on higher costs to shoppers.
In everyday terms, the next price tag on your favorite soap or lotion is likely to be higher than the last. The company is telling its investors, in plain business language, that it plans to charge more.
It is rare for a company to say so this directly, which is why the CEO’s quote is getting attention.
The Third Quarter Numbers Show Where The Money Came From
Unilever reported that underlying sales rose 5.2% in the third quarter. Of that, volume growth was 2.9% and price growth was 2.3%.
Volume means how many items were sold. Price means how much more the company collected per item. So a little less than half of the sales growth came from charging more.
That 2.3% is the part that reaches your checkout. And the company says it expects that piece to keep growing.
Other Giants Are Sending The Same Signal
Unilever is not alone. The report notes that Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Reckitt have also flagged possible further price hikes next year.
That is a big slice of what fills your pantry and bathroom cabinet. Soft drinks, laundry soap, packaged food and cleaning supplies all come from names on that list.
When several of the largest consumer brands say the same thing, it is worth taking seriously.
What It Means For Dove, Axe And Vaseline Shoppers
If you buy those three brands, you will likely feel it first on the shelf and slowly over time. Price increases tend to arrive in small steps rather than one big jump, which makes them easy to miss.
A few cents here and a dollar there add up over a year, especially for a family that goes through body wash, deodorant and lotion every month.
The same thing applies to everything else on the list. A small bump on many items is how a grocery budget quietly stretches.
Seven Smart Ways To Fight Back At The Checkout
You cannot control what a company charges, but you can control how you shop. Consumer experts suggest a few simple habits.
- Compare store brands. Many store-brand soaps, lotions and cleaners do the same job for less.
- Check the unit price on the shelf tag, which shows the cost per ounce or per count. It is the fairest way to compare sizes.
- Watch for shrinkflation, when the box stays the same but holds less. Read the weight on the package, not just the price.
- Stock up on staples you use steadily when they are on sale, as long as they do not spoil.
- Use coupons and store apps for the brands you buy regularly.
- Try one change at a time, so you can tell whether a cheaper item works for you.
- Keep a short price list at home for your top ten items. It helps you notice when something has crept up.
The Shrinkflation Trap To Watch For
Shrinkflation is the sneakiest way to raise prices. The package looks the same, but there are fewer sheets, fewer ounces or fewer pills inside.
That is why the unit price matters. If the shelf tag says a bottle costs more per ounce than it did last month, you are paying more even if the sticker price did not change.
A quick glance at the unit price on a few items each trip is a habit worth building.
A Quick Budget Test You Can Do This Weekend
Pull out your last grocery or drugstore receipt and circle every item from a big brand. Next to each one, write the price of the store-brand version from the same shelf.
Add up the gap. If the difference comes to several dollars a trip, you have just found the size of your own savings plan for 2027.
Then try two or three of the store-brand items and keep only the ones your family likes.
Plan Ahead For 2027
The CEO’s message is a heads-up, and heads-ups are useful. If you know prices on household basics are likely to rise next year, you can build a bit of room into your budget now.
Start by finding your two or three biggest personal care and cleaning costs and look for a store-brand version to test. Small swaps made today can offset larger prices later.
You may not be able to stop the hikes. But you can decide how much of them you pay.
