The Consumer
Business Segment recorded organic sales growth of 6.3% in the first quarter of
the year. In nominal terms, sales increased by 0.4%, from €1.318 billion to €1.323
billion. The key drivers underlying this strong sales growth were the Group’s healthy
performance in emerging markets and
positive growth rates in the saturated European markets.
NIVEA delivered 7.6%
sales growth, Eucerin 10.3%, and La Prairie 3.4%.
EBIT excluding
special factors improved to €193 million, up from €178 million in the previous
year. The corresponding EBIT margin increased to 14.6% in the reporting period
compared with 13.5% in the prior-year quarter.
Organic
sales growth across the individual regions was as follows:
In Europe, sales grew by 0.9%, up
slightly on the prior year. Western Europe also recorded a sales increase of
0.9%. Sales in Eastern Europe were up 0.7% compared to prior year.
Sales in the Americas region recorded a healthy 6.9%
increase. Latin America saw sales growth of 6.5%. North America continued to
develop well with 7.5% growth.
The Africa/Asia/Australia region saw double-digit sales
growth of 17.5%.