Beiersdorf exceeds pre-crisis level and continues growth momentum in third quarter 2021

• Group sales grow by +12.0% (€5.8 billion) in the first nine months
• Consumer Segment’s sales up +10.4% (€4.6 billion), exceeding pre-crisis-level
• Broad-based growth driven by derma brands (+20.8%), and the recovery of La Prairie (+26.2%) 
• Outperformance in Latin America leads NIVEA’s sales growth of +6.8% 
• tesa delivers another strong quarter with sales growth of +19.4% (€1.2 billion)
• Further progress in the two key strategic pillars digitalization and sustainability 

Hamburg, October 28, 2021 – Beiersdorf AG completed the third quarter of 2021 successfully with strong sales improvement. Organic Group sales grew by 12.0% to €5.8 billion in the first nine months of the year (single Q3 organic growth of 4.3%) exceeding the pre-COVID level of 2019. Beiersdorf succeeded in gaining significant market shares around the globe, especially in emerging markets such as Latin America. This development was driven by a strong focus on digital channels and successful product launches. Beiersdorf recorded strong e-commerce sales growth of 38% in the Consumer Business Segment across all brands and regions in the first nine months of the fiscal year and will continue to invest in building on digital initiatives and capabilities.

“Approaching the end of 2021, we have made significant progress in implementing our strategic priorities as part of C.A.R.E.+, which is also reflected by our strong nine months financial results,” said Vincent Warnery, CEO of Beiersdorf. “The digital transformation and the shift towards a climate-positive future in particular are increasingly relevant for our consumers – that’s why we have worked intensively to further level up our initiatives in these areas.”

Beiersdorf achieved further milestones as part of the “Care Beyond Skin” Sustainability Agenda. A recent example has been the launch of the NIVEA Naturally Good body lotion bottle that uses 50% less plastic. Furthermore, more than 90% of Beiersdorf’s PET bottles in Europe are made of recycled plastic.

Reducing CO₂ emissions remain one of the core priorities for Beiersdorf with the science-based reduction target of 30% for scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in absolute terms by 2025 – a target at the edge of what is technologically feasible today. However, as of 2022, Beiersdorf is going a decisive step further and will invest in natural CO₂ absorption to bring climate care to skincare and make NIVEA and Eucerin Beiersdorf’s first 100% climate neutralized skin care brands on the market. Beiersdorf is thus working intensively on its transformation towards greater sustainability and a reduced environmental footprint of its brands and products and will provide more information on this commitment in January. 

The Consumer Business Segment recorded organic sales growth of +10.4% in the first nine months of the year (single Q3 organic growth of +4.1%). In nominal terms, sales rose by +8.0% to €4.6 billion (2020: €4.3 billion). This development was largely driven by the strong performance of Beiersdorf’s dermatological brands Eucerin and Aquaphor, the strong recovery of our La Prairie business as well as by a good overall showing in emerging markets. 

The NIVEA brand achieved +6.8% sales growth in organic sales in a year-on-year comparison. Main drivers of this performance were the outstanding performance of our body and face care categories as well as strong recovery of our sun category. Furthermore, we saw a sequential recovery of shower and deodorant personal care products. On a regional basis, emerging markets and in particular Latin America contributed significantly. 

The dermatological brands Eucerin and Aquaphor continued their successful trajectory in the third quarter and finished the first nine months with organic sales growth of 20.8% significantly above 2019 levels (+31.8% vs. 2019). Once again, key markets such as the United States and Germany performed strongly, supported by the ongoing growth story in Latin America. Beiersdorf plans to step up this success by expanding Eucerin Sun to the United States in the coming year. 

The exclusive skin care brand La Prairie continues to deliver strong results way above 2019 levels in China. The overall 26.2% sales growth in the first nine months was mainly driven by a gradual but selective expansion of doors, ongoing strong online sales with the support of Tmall and superior growth in the domestic travel retail business around Hainan.

The Healthcare business, which mainly comprises the plaster business with the Hansaplast and Elastoplast brands, achieved strong sales growth of 14.4% over the first nine months. This growth was seen in all the main markets and was supported by the brand relaunch at the beginning of this year.

The tesa business segment recorded another quarter of growth (single Q3 organic growth of 4.6%) despite an exceptionally strong comparable third quarter in the previous year. Over the first nine months, tesa delivered organic growth of 19.4% year on year clearly above 2019 levels (+13.8% vs. 2019). In nominal terms, tesa increased sales by +18.4% to €1.2 billion (previous year: €974 million).

tesa saw a positive development in all business areas and regions. Once again, the main growth driver was the Direct Industries division with the emphasis on the Electronics business in China, supported by the strong recovery in the automotive business. The Trade Market division saw particularly good growth in the Craftsmen businesses as well as in General Industrial Markets. 

Beiersdorf expects organic sales growth between 7-9% in the Consumer Business Segment for fiscal year 2021. The EBIT margin will be at the level of the previous year due to rising material prices and increasing investments in the markets, digitization, and sustainability.

In the tesa business segment, Beiersdorf expects organic sales growth between 11-13% in 2021. The EBIT margin from operations is expected to be above the previous year’s level.

Based on the forecast for the two business segments, Beiersdorf expects organic sales growth for the Group between 8-10%. The Group’s EBIT margin is expected to be at the previous year’s level.