Beiersdorf
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
North America was a sweet spot for the German firm in the first nine months of 2010, with consumer product sales in the region growing 13.2% organically (19% at current exchange rates) to €265 mil., firm reports Nov. 4. Nivea body care and shower products were particularly strong in North America during the January-September period, and Eucerin and La Prairie skin care achieved "encouraging growth," the firm says. The results suggest the company's "Focus On Skin Care. Closer to Markets" strategy is paying off in the Americas, Beiersdorf says, noting it now aims to strengthen its other business regions via the same strategy, which was announced in April (1"The Rose Sheet" April 5, 2010). Sales of the firm's consumer products in Europe decreased 1.5% during the nine-month period to €2.52 bil. Net sales for consumer products were up 2.3% for the period to €4.05 billion and operating results rose 10.4% to €467 mil., compared with the same period a year ago. For the full year, Beiersdorf projects total consumer business segment sales will increase about 2%