Gillette
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Blades and Razors sales advanced 11% to $1.21 bil. on a reported basis, and profit from operations in the unit increased 16% to $488 mil. in the second quarter, Gillette announces Aug. 4. Results were boosted in part by a double-digit sales increase in North America for the Venus women's shaving brand, which benefited from the launch of Venus Vibrance and new Venus Disposable razor. Gillette's global value share of the blades/razors segment increased by more than one percentage point to 71.5%, while M3Power remained the top-selling men's razor in North America and worldwide with a 19% value share, according to the firm. Personal care sales were up 9% to $256 mil., with profit from operations advancing 25% to $30 mil., reflecting improved product mix and "ongoing trade-up from shaving foams to gels," company notes. Net sales rose 13.4% to $2.77 bil., while net income increased 16.9% to $498 mil...