04.28.08
Alberto-Culver Company—manufacturer and marketer of personal care products including TRESemme, Alberto VO5, Nexxus and St. Ives—posted record sales and earnings from continuing operations for its second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2008.
Net sales for the first half increased 10.7% to $813.5 million from
$734.5 million in the prior year. For the second quarter, net sales for the second quarter increased 7.7% to $412.8 million from the prior year quarter. The company also reported that its gross profit margin increased to 53.4% compared to 52.1% in the prior year quarter, mainly due to more effective inventory management and manufacturing efficiencies.
Commenting on the second quarter, Alberto-Culver President and Chief Executive Officer V. James Marino said, "Our strong performance this quarter was due to the continued growth of TRESemme as well as growth in other beauty care brands including St Ives and multicultural brands Motions and Soft and Beautiful. We are very pleased with the profitable sales and earnings growth generated, especially when considering last year's second quarter launch of TRESemme in Mexico as well as significant pipeline shipments of Nexxus in the club channel in the prior year and the lapping of restructuring savings.
"I am particularly proud that in the U.S., TRESemme and Nexxus' consumer consumption rates, a critical measure of the health of our brands, both increased at double-digit rates during the latest twelve and fifty-two week periods, far outpacing the category. In a challenging retail environment, characterized by mixed consumption trends, we were able to deliver another record quarter of sales and earnings growth for our shareholders."
Net sales for the first half increased 10.7% to $813.5 million from
$734.5 million in the prior year. For the second quarter, net sales for the second quarter increased 7.7% to $412.8 million from the prior year quarter. The company also reported that its gross profit margin increased to 53.4% compared to 52.1% in the prior year quarter, mainly due to more effective inventory management and manufacturing efficiencies.
Commenting on the second quarter, Alberto-Culver President and Chief Executive Officer V. James Marino said, "Our strong performance this quarter was due to the continued growth of TRESemme as well as growth in other beauty care brands including St Ives and multicultural brands Motions and Soft and Beautiful. We are very pleased with the profitable sales and earnings growth generated, especially when considering last year's second quarter launch of TRESemme in Mexico as well as significant pipeline shipments of Nexxus in the club channel in the prior year and the lapping of restructuring savings.
"I am particularly proud that in the U.S., TRESemme and Nexxus' consumer consumption rates, a critical measure of the health of our brands, both increased at double-digit rates during the latest twelve and fifty-two week periods, far outpacing the category. In a challenging retail environment, characterized by mixed consumption trends, we were able to deliver another record quarter of sales and earnings growth for our shareholders."