Who Owns Dove?
Dove is owned by Unilever, a publicly traded British multinational consumer goods company (LSE: ULVR, NYSE: UL) headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Dove operates as a wholly-owned brand within Unilever's Beauty and Wellbeing segment. In fiscal year 2024, Unilever's Beauty and Wellbeing segment delivered underlying sales growth of 6.1%, with Dove continuing as one of Unilever's largest billion-euro brands globally.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Founded
1957
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Who Owns Dove?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dove | Unilever plc | Wholly owned |
History of Dove
- Founded: 1957
- Founders: Unilever (internal development)
Dove was launched by Unilever in 1957 as a premium beauty bar designed to be gentler than traditional soaps. The brand was developed with the concept that beauty care products should be mild and moisturizing, positioning itself against harsh detergent soaps. Dove's success with the beauty bar led to expansion into numerous categories including body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and skincare products. The brand became particularly known for its "Real Beauty" campaign that started in 2004, celebrating diverse representations of beauty and challenging conventional advertising standards. This marketing approach resonated globally, making Dove one of the world's most recognized personal care brands. Today, Dove offers an extensive portfolio addressing various skin types and beauty concerns, with continued innovation in sustainable and inclusive product development.
About Unilever plc
What does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing (Dove, Vaseline, TRESemme, Pond's), Personal Care (Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lux, Lifebuoy, Close Up), Home Care (Domestos, Cif, Surf, Omo, Comfort), and Nutrition (Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton, Marmite). Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever no longer owns Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, or Breyers. The company also owns approximately 61% of Hindustan Unilever Limited, a publicly listed subsidiary in India.
Is Unilever publicly traded?
Yes, Unilever plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker ULVR and on Euronext Amsterdam under ticker UNA. American Depositary Receipts are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker UL. The company does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom.
Who founded Unilever?
Unilever was formed in 1929 through the merger of Lever Brothers, a British soap company founded by William Hesketh Lever in 1885, and Margarine Unie, a Dutch margarine producer formed through the merger of the Jurgens and Van den Bergh companies in 1927. The founders of the predecessor companies include William Lever, James Darcy Lever, Antonius Johannes Jurgens, and Samuel van den Bergh.
Where is Unilever headquartered?
Unilever is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company's registered office and principal executive offices are located in London. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom and ending the separate Unilever N.V. Dutch entity. The company's shares continue to trade on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam.
How many brands does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Nutrition. The company's largest brands by revenue include Dove, Hellmann's, Knorr, Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lipton, Vaseline, Domestos, and Cif. Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever's portfolio no longer includes ice cream brands such as Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, and Breyers.
Who owns Unilever?
Unilever plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and index funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Unilever. Fernando Fernandez serves as CEO, having been appointed in March 2025 following the departure of Hein Schumacher. The company's board includes a majority of independent non-executive directors.
- Founded: 1929
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: ULVR
Where Is Dove Made / Based?
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Brazil, Germany, India, China
Brands Owned by Unilever plc
- Axe - Male grooming brand owned by Unilever, known for body spray and deodorant produc...
- Ben & Jerry's - American ice cream company known for unique flavors and social activism, owned b...
- Best Foods - American mayonnaise and condiment brand owned by Unilever, known as Hellmann's e...
- Bovril - Heritage British beef extract brand owned by Unilever, invented in 1870 and know...
- Brooke Bond - British tea brand owned by Unilever, known for Red Label and PG Tips tea product...
- Cif - Global cleaning products brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1969 and known for...
- Clear - Global anti-dandruff shampoo and scalp care brand owned by Unilever, launched in...
- Close-Up - Global oral care brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1967 as the world's first ...
- Comfort - Global fabric softener brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1969 as the world's ...
- Degree - North American deodorant and antiperspirant brand owned by Unilever, the US bran...
- Domestos - British household cleaning brand owned by Unilever, known for its bleach-based t...
- Hellmann's - American mayonnaise and condiment brand owned by Unilever, known as Best Foods w...
- HelloFresh - Meal kit delivery service brand owned by Unilever, providing pre-portioned ingre...
- Knorr - German food brand owned by Unilever, specializing in soups, seasonings, and read...
- Lancôme - Luxury beauty brand owned by Unilever, known for premium skincare, makeup, and f...
- Lifebuoy - Heritage health and hygiene soap brand owned by Unilever, created in 1894 as a c...
- Lipton - Global tea brand primarily owned by Lipton Teas and Infusions (CVC Capital Partn...
- Lux - Global beauty soap and body wash brand owned by Unilever, known as the world's f...
- Magnum - Premium ice cream brand owned by Unilever, known for chocolate-coated ice cream ...
- Maizena - Global corn starch brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1856 and used as a versat...
- Marmite - British savoury yeast extract spread owned by Unilever, known for its "Love it o...
- Noxzema - American skincare brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1914 and known for its med...
- Omo - Global laundry detergent brand owned by Unilever, launched in the 1950s and Unil...
- Pepsodent - Global toothpaste brand owned by Unilever outside North America, founded in 1915...
- PG Tips - British tea brand owned by Unilever, known for its pyramid tea bags and advertis...
- Pond's - Global skincare brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1846 as a patent medicine an...
- Pot Noodle - British instant noodle brand owned by Unilever, known for its quick preparation ...
- Rexona - Global deodorant and antiperspirant brand owned by Unilever, founded in Australi...
- Seventh Generation - Plant-based cleaning, laundry, and personal care brand committed to sustainabili...
- Simple - Skincare brand owned by Unilever, known for gentle, dermatologist-tested product...
- St. Ives - American skincare brand owned by Unilever, known for its natural ingredient form...
- Sunsilk - Global hair care brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1954 in the United Kingdom...
- Surf - Global laundry detergent brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1953 and known for...
- TRESemmé - Global salon-quality hair care brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1947 and know...
- Vaseline - American petroleum jelly and skincare brand owned by Unilever, known for its hea...
- Wall's - Ice cream brand owned by Unilever, known for ice cream bars, cones, and frozen t...
Dove Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong brand recognition and trusted reputation for gentle, moisturizing formulations
- +Diverse product range covering multiple personal care categories
- +Commitment to inclusivity and real beauty representation in marketing
- +Wide global availability through Unilever's distribution network
- +Continuous innovation in sustainable and eco-friendly products
Considerations
- -Premium pricing compared to mass-market alternatives
- -Environmental concerns regarding packaging and water usage
- -Some specialty products have limited availability in certain markets
- -Dependency on parent company policies and sustainability initiatives
Frequently Asked Questions About Dove
Where to Buy
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Dove on AmazonCompetitors to Dove
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procter Gamble | USA | 1983 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Clorox | USA | 1984 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Nexus Capital Management | USA | 2011 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Walmart | USA | 1986 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Procter Gamble | USA | 1937 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Procter Gamble | USA | 1956 | Mass Market | North America | Male |
Learn More About Competitors
Always
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American feminine hygiene brand known for its menstrual pads, panty liners, and feminine care products.
Burt's Bees
Owned by The Clorox Company
American personal care brand specializing in natural and organic skincare, lip care, and personal grooming products made with beeswax and natural ingredients.
Dollar Shave Club
Owned by Nexus Capital Management
American direct-to-consumer razor and grooming brand known for its subscription model and viral marketing.
Equate
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Walmart's flagship health and beauty private label brand with 75% U.S. household penetration, ranking as the second most popular store brand in America, offering over-the-counter medications and personal care products at affordable prices.
Old Spice
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American men's grooming brand known for its deodorants, antiperspirants, body washes, and distinctive nautical-themed marketing campaigns.
Secret
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American women's deodorant and antiperspirant brand known for its pH-balanced formulations and marketing focused on women's confidence and strength.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Dove competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Unilever plc Stock Information
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