The Consumer Business Segment again saw robust growth in 2016.
Contrary to overall developments within the industry, the Consumer Business
Segment recorded strong growth especially in the fourth quarter. Organic sales
growth was 3.3%. In nominal terms, sales rose by 1.1%, from €5.546 billion
in the previous year to €5.606 billion. NIVEA increased sales by 3.8%,
Eucerin by 1.5%, and La Prairie by 5.5%.
Beiersdorf achieved organic sales growth in all regions.
In Europe, a growth rate of 2.0% gave lasting strength to
Beiersdorf’s market position. Sales in Western Europe rose by 1.0% against the
prior-year level. Good sales growth was achieved in Germany, Spain, and the
United Kingdom, among other countries. In Eastern Europe, there was a strong
6.6% increase in sales, mainly attributable to a strong business performance in
Russia and Poland.
Sales in the Americas region increased by 2.9%. Sales rose by
1.6% in North America and by 3.7% in Latin America. The increase was driven in
particular by good growth in Brazil and a very high growth rate in Mexico.
In the Africa/Asia/Australia region, Beiersdorf lifted sales
by 5.7%. This growth was mainly driven by a strong business performance in
Japan, India, South Africa, and Australia. In China, sales remained below the
prior year.
EBIT improved by 7.6% to the record figure of €829 million following
€771 million in the previous year. This corresponds to an EBIT margin of
14.8% (previous year: 13.9%).