In the Consumer business segment, Beiersdorf increased its sales organically by 2.5% in the first six months of the current fiscal year. EBIT excluding special factors
rose from €294 million in the previous year to €327 million, up 11.3%.
The corresponding EBIT margin increased to 12.8% from the prior-year
figure of 12.1%. Reasons for this include the successful realignment of
corporate structures and processes, and the improvement of business in
China.
All of the company’s core brands contributed to
sales growth, led by an increase of 4.4% at NIVEA, 3.1% at Eucerin, and
2.7% at La Prairie.
Business development in the reporting
regions was mixed, and was frequently influenced by macroeconomic
developments in the individual countries.
Impacted by the
streamlining of the product portfolio in 2011, the weakening economy,
and the prevailing poor consumer climate in most cases, Beiersdorf
recorded a decline in sales of 4.0% in Western Europe. Sales in Germany were down 2.2% on the previous year.
The company generated strong growth of 8.1% in the Eastern European markets. The key driver was the increase in sales recorded in the Russian growth market.
Sales rose by 8.0% in the Americas. In the Latin America
focus region in particular, Beiersdorf generated a strong increase in
sales of 14.3%. The growth rate in Brazil was particularly pronounced.
Sales in the North American market were down 2.0% on the previous year.
Business performance in the Africa/Asia/Australia
region was encouraging, with 9.6% sales growth compared with the
previous year. Beiersdorf generated strong sales growth in the Middle
East, Africa and Southeast Asia.