Commenting the figures, Mr Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman & CEO of L’Oréal, said:
“With a solid 3rd quarter, the group is confirming its good dynamics, in a market which again reflected contrasting trends in geographic zones and distribution channels.
Across the divisions, L’Oréal Luxury produced an outstanding performance, bolstered by the dynamism of Kiehl’s, Giorgio Armani, Diesel, and also Lancôme, which is making the headlines with Visionnaire, a breakthrough innovation symbolising the renewal of the brand and the quality of our Research. The Consumer Products Division trend is positive, thanks in particular to Maybelline. The Professional Products and Active Cosmetics Divisions are improving their performances in markets that have once again shown modest growth.
In geographic terms, L’Oréal is confirming its dynamism in Asia, reflecting high performances not only in China, but also in India and South-East Asia. Growth remains strong in Latin America, despite a deceleration in Brazil. In North America, L’Oréal is continuing to increase faster than the market. In Western Europe, the group is in line with a market trend reflecting highly contrasting situations.
With a favourable cosmetics market trend despite the uncertainties facing the worldwide economy, we are tackling the last quarter with confidence.
We confirm our aim of outperforming the market in 2011, and achieving another year of growth in both sales and profitability.”
Cosmetics sales
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS
The Professional Products Division recorded 9-month sales growth of +2.3% like-for-like and +3.0% based on reported figures, after taking into account the impact of currency fluctuations and of changes in consolidation due to the acquisition of distributors in the United States. The division increased its worldwide leadership and accelerated in the 3rd quarter thanks to a solid launch portfolio.
Following the successful launch of Inoa and Inoa Suprême in permanent hair colour, L’Oréal Professionnel is reinventing tone-on-tone colour with DiaRichesse and DiaLight. In addition, Redken is launching Color Fusion Extra Lift, a formula with unrivalled lightening power.
The hair oils Elixir Ultime by Kérastase and Mythic Oil by L’Oréal Professionnel have once again been highly successful.
Kérastase is developing ultra-personalised professional salon haircare with Fusio-Dose, the first-ever system with highly concentrated active ingredients prepared individually for each client.
Matrix is continuing to prove successful with Total Results, a range of accessible professional haircare products launched in Europe and the New Markets.
In Europe and the United States, in sluggish markets, the division is continuing to improve its positions by conquering new salons.
In the New Markets, the division is making rapid progress, particularly in Latin America, India and the countries of South-East Asia. In the 3rd quarter, Matrix launched Biolage Oiltherapie in India, a product specially developed for this market.
CONSUMER PRODUCTS
The Consumer Products Division has achieved sales growth of +4.6% like-for-like and +3.0% based on reported figures. Maybelline is continuing to grow strongly and L’Oréal Paris is accelerating.
L’Oréal Paris is continuing to score successes with its hair colourant Sublime Mousse and the facial skincare line Revitalift Total Repair 10.
Maybelline is performing very well in all regions of the world, with the success of Falsies Flared and Colossal Cat Eyes mascaras, Color Explosion eye shadow, and SuperStay 24h lipstick.
Garnier is continuing its initiatives with Miracle Skin Perfector, bringing the BB cream phenomenon from Asia to Europe for the first time, and Dark Spot Corrector anti-blemish skincare in North America.
In Western Europe, the contrasting national situations are continuing, with a relatively positive trend in France and Northern Europe, but a more difficult context in Southern Europe. The quarter was marked by the revamp of the Elvive range by L’Oréal Paris and the launch of Elvive Triple Resist enriched with Arginine.
In North America, the division is continuing to win market share, driven in particular by the successes of Garnier and Maybelline. In addition, the launch of Essie nail varnish in the mass market is extremely promising.
In Eastern Europe, the situation is gradually returning to normal.
In Latin America, the growth rate remains high, although there has been a slowdown in Brazil and in Mexico.
In Asia, and in China in particular, growth remains strong, with large market share gains.
L’OREAL LUXURY
L’Oréal Luxury sales grew at end-September by +8.6% like-for-like, and by +6.2% based on reported figures. The division produced particularly strong performances in the New Markets, the United States and Travel Retail. This achievement reflects a dynamic retail sales trend, and the introduction of the major year-end launches in the 3rd quarter.
Lancôme is hitting the headlines with Visionnaire, the first advanced skin corrector, protected by 20 patents. Meanwhile, the brand is continuing to make advances thanks to its flagship products Génifique, Rénergie and Teint Miracle, and the launch of Hypnôse Doll Eyes mascara.
Giorgio Armani is achieving strong growth with Code Sport, Acqua di Gioia and the skincare line Régénessence.
Yves Saint Laurent is progressing in men’s fragrances with a trilogy comprising L’Homme, La Nuit de L’Homme, and now L’Homme Libre.
Kiehl’s is continuing to record very dynamic growth, and sustaining the pace of its sales outlet openings all over the world. After the success of Rosa Arctica, the brand is launching a new skincare line, Ultra Facial Oil Free.
Biotherm is launching Skin Vivo Uniformity, an anti-ageing skincare line which ensures an even skin tone.
Sales in Western Europe are being boosted by the launch of Visionnaire and the successes of Yves Saint Laurent in men’s fragrances. Kiehl’s is continuing to record lively growth, alongside Diesel, whose new women’s fragrance, Loverdose, has quickly become one of the best-selling products on the market.
In North America, the division’s sales trend is favourable, bolstered by Lancôme, Giorgio Armani and Kiehl’s. Yves Saint Laurent is accelerating thanks to its make-up products.
In the New Markets, the division’s growth is being bolstered by Asia, and particularly by South Korea, China and Hong Kong. Sell-out is increasing strongly in the Middle East.
Travel Retail is continuing to prove extremely dynamic.
ACTIVE COSMETICS
At end-September, the sales of the Active Cosmetics Division grew by +3.8% like-for-like and +3.3% based on reported figures, with a good 3rd quarter, reflecting a good sun products season and the introduction of year-end launches.
La Roche Posay is maintaining its momentum across all markets with a sustained plan of initiatives. In particular, the brand is launching Cicaplast B5 in the scarring segment.
Vichy is making two major launches in Europe: LiftActiv Sérum 10 in anti-ageing skincare and Dercos Aminexil in anti-hair loss.
SkinCeuticals is fully playing its role as a growth relay.
In Western Europe, the situation still reflects contrasting trends, but improved in the 3rd quarter, thanks in particular to La Roche Posay, SkinCeuticals and Roger&Gallet.
In North America, SkinCeuticals sales are growing strongly.
The New Markets are continuing to generate strong growth, particularly in Latin America, with Vichy and Innéov, and the Middle East.
Difficulties are continuing in the pharmacy channel in Eastern Europe.
Multi-division summary by geographic zone
WESTERN EUROPE
In a market which remained flat overall, L’Oréal recorded a growth rate of +0.9% like-for-like and +1.3% based on reported figures, with satisfactory performances in France, the United Kingdom, Northern Europe and Travel Retail. The situation remains more difficult in Southern Europe, particularly in Greece and Portugal.
NORTH AMERICA
In North America, L’Oréal achieved growth at end-September of +5.4% like-for-like, outperforming a market trend which remained buoyant. L’Oréal Luxury achieved lively growth, reflecting the advances made by Lancôme and a new period of strong growth for Kiehl’s and for fragrances. The Consumer Products Division is clearly gaining market share in haircare, skincare and make-up. The development of Essie is very promising.
NEW MARKETS
At end-September, the New Markets recorded growth of +9.7% like-for-like. Excluding Japan, the New Markets achieved growth of +10.8%, with the Asia-Pacific zone proving particularly dynamic.
Asia-Pacific: L’Oréal recorded a growth rate of +13.1% like-for-like, and is thus continuing to make significant market share gains across the whole Asia-Pacific zone. Excluding Japan, growth in this zone amounted to +16.3% like-for-like. The group is being driven by the good performances of L’Oréal Luxury in China, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and by the Consumer Products Division, which is posting good results in China, India and South-East Asia, where it is continuing to extend its distribution.
Eastern Europe: The group sales trend at end-September was -2.8% like-for-like, after an improvement in the 3rd quarter. In the dismal economic context which has left no country unscathed, consumer confidence is weak and markets are proving difficult. The group is taking action with a specially adapted launch programme, particularly in the Consumer Products Division.
Latin America: At end-September the group’s growth stood at +14.0% like-for-like. There is strong momentum in all divisions and across all countries, particularly in Argentina, Mexico and Colombia. In Brazil, growth remains high; however a deceleration has been observed over the last few months.
Africa, Middle East: The Africa and Middle East zone recorded growth of +8.9% like-for-like at end-September. Turkey and the countries of the Levant are the main growth drivers, alongside the Gulf states which have now returned to growth. The new subsidiaries in Egypt and Pakistan are expanding, and the group has just opened new subsidiaries in Kenya and Nigeria.
The Body Shop sales
At end-September, The Body Shop achieved like-for-like sales growth of +2.6%. Retail sales(1) also increased by +2.6%.
The Body Shop launched Extra Virgin Minerals, an innovative range of 100% pure mineral foundations containing Community Fair Trade extra virgin olive oil from Italy. The brand also hit the headlines when it handed over a petition of 7 million signatures to the United Nations – its largest petition ever – in support of its ground-breaking campaign to Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People.
The brand continues to perform well in New Markets, such as the Middle East and Eastern Europe, with particularly good performances in Saudi Arabia and Russia. In Western Europe growth remains overall sluggish, hampered by the economies of Greece, Italy and Portugal.
The Body Shop continues to accelerate its expansion of e-commerce. Global Travel Retail reach now extends to more than 40 countries.
At September 30th, 2011, the total number of stores was 2,693.
Galderma sales
Galderma’s sales increased by +6.3% like-for-like and +13.7% based on reported figures.
During the 3rd quarter, Galderma completed the operational integration of Q-Med, makers of the world-class filler Restylane, allowing for market optimization of the company’s fast growing medical aesthetic business.
The strategic brands Epiduo (acne), Azzalure (muscle relaxant for frown lines), Cetaphil (therapeutic skincare) and Restylane (hyaluronic acid dermal filler) recorded double-digit growth.
Asia-Pacific and Latin America drove global performance by boasting strong double-digit growth. Particularly strong performance in Germany and Russia partly offset the erosion of Loceryl nail lacquer by generics in France. North America generated moderate growth in light of the entry of generics of Differin 0.1% gel and cream (acne) in the United States but prescriptions for Epiduo are quickly ramping up.
[Text/Logo: L’ORÉAL]
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