London (CNN Business) A sales warning from one of the world's biggest consumer goods companies is undermining hopes for a significantly stronger global economy in 2020. Unilever, which owns brands including Dove and Ben & Jerry's, said Tuesday that it won't meet its sales growth target for 2019, and warned that weakness will continue into next year. Unilever UL blamed the weaker forecasts on an economic slowdown in South Asia, one of its largest markets, and difficult business conditions in West Africa and North America. The pace of economic growth has halved in India since reaching 9% just three years ago. Slowdowns in manufacturing and agriculture have resulted in job cuts and weak consumer demand, forcing companies like Unilever to cut prices in the country.

Source: CNN December 17, 2019 15:22 UTC