Unilever
Backing smallholder farmers instead of squeezing them made its sustainable brands the fastest-growing part of the business.
The Finding
An empathy-driven approach to struggling suppliers strengthened both the supply chain and the brand.
What They Did
Invested in training programs to help small farmers raise yields and income.
Committed to fair wages and ethical sourcing even when rivals cut costs.
Built long-term supplier relationships rather than switching to cheaper options.
The Results
Higher supplier loyalty and better raw-material quality.
Stronger brand trust, turning sustainability into a competitive advantage.
Sustainable brands grew ~50% faster than the rest of the portfolio.
Love Indicator Business Outcome
Empathy Supply-chain resilience & growth
