Beiersdorf expects the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic to have a significant impact on
its business performance in 2020. According to preliminary figures, Group sales fell like-for-like
by –3.6% to €1,910 million year over year in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Sales growth
generated by the Consumer Business Segment during the first quarter totaled like-for-like –3.3%
(sales of €1,581 million) against the prior-year quarter. Sales growth at the tesa Business
Segment totaled like-for-like –5.1% (sales of €329 million).
For the full 2020 fiscal year, the company currently cannot adequately project the future developments or the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis. The targets set in the company’s guidance issued on March 3, 2020, are unlikely to be achieved. As a result, the company has withdrawn this guidance.
“The global corona crisis is impacting the entire economy and creating challenges for all of us. Beiersdorf acted at an early stage and took global steps that will enable the company to continue to operate and do business under these challenging conditions. The safety and health of our employees and partners, as well as the service we provide to our customers and consumers, are our highest priority. Given all of the uncertainty related to the impact and consequences of the coronavirus, we are currently unable to provide reliable guidance about the company’s performance in 2020. But we are confident that we will emerge from this crisis in a strengthened position,” said Stefan De Loecker.
The company’s quarterly statement from January through March 2020 will be released on May 5, 2020.