Unilever is reportedly laying off staff in its China operations, according to multiple Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote) posts and confirmed sources, though the company has not officially responded. The move is part of Unilever's global restructuring plan, which includes spinning off its low-margin ice cream business — worth 7.9 billion euros ($8.5 billion) in 2023 — and cutting 7,500 jobs worldwide to save 800 million euros ($860 million). The company is also streamlining its brand portfolio and shifting focus to higher-margin segments like beauty, personal care, and nutrition. Unilever’s performance in China has lagged, with sales falling by high single digits in Q1 2025.