P&G Sales Up 9% in Q1

Driven by demand for laundry and household cleaning products, the Procter & Gamble Company said FY2021 Q1 net sales rose 9% to $19.3 billion.

“We delivered another strong quarter of organic sales growth, core earnings per share and cash returned to shareowners, enabling us to increase our outlook for fiscal year results,” said David Taylor, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our near-term priorities continue to be employee health and safety, maximizing availability of P&G products for consumers around the world, and helping society meet the challenges of the COVID crisis. We remain firmly focused on executing our strategies of superiority, productivity, constructive disruption and improving P&G’s organization and culture to deliver balanced top-line and bottom-line growth along with strong cash generation.”

Fabric and home care segment organic sales increased 14% for the quarter. Fabric care organic sales increased high single digits driven by high teens growth in the North America region through new innovations, incremental brand communication, and disproportionate growth of premium forms like laundry unit dose and fabric enhancer beads. Home care organic sales increased more than 30% driven by increases in consumer demand for home cleaning products during the pandemic, resulting in double digit growth in every region. Dish care, air care and surface care each grew 20% or more.

Beauty segment organic sales increased 7% versus year ago. Skin and personal care organic sales increased high single digits driven by innovation-led growth in North America and Greater China. North America skin and personal care grew mid-teens behind the launch of Safeguard hand soap and hand sanitizer and premium innovations on Olay. Globally, personal cleansing grew over 30%, with double digit growth in every region. Greater China SK-II grew over 20% with strong domestic consumption trends. Hair care organic sales increased high single digits led by strong demand in North America, Greater China and Latin America, with mid-single digit growth or better across each of P&G’s top hair care brands.

Grooming segment organic sales increased 6%versus year ago. Appliances organic sales increased more than 30% due to innovation, increased demand for dry shaving and styling products, and increased pricing. Shave care organic sales were unchanged as high single digit growth in female blades and razors was offset by market softness in male blades and razors due to pandemic-related consumption decline.

Health care segment organic sales increased 12% for the quarter. Oral care organic sales increased mid-teens globally, with mid-single digit or better growth in each region driven by innovation, currency devaluation-related price increases and positive mix impacts. Personal health care organic sales increased high single digits primarily due to innovation and increased consumption, primarily in digestive and wellness.

Baby, feminine and family care segment organic sales increased 4% versus year ago. Family care organic sales increased double digits primarily due to consumption increases driven by consumers spending more time at home during the pandemic. Feminine care organic sales increased high single digits with innovation led growth in North America and Greater China and more than 20% growth in adult incontinence products. Baby care organic sales decreased low single digits as low single digit growth in the North American region was more than offset by category contraction and increased competitive activity in other regions.

P&G raised its outlook for fiscal 2021 all-in sales growth from a range of 1-3% to a range of 3-4% versus the prior fiscal year. The revised range includes an estimated one percent negative impact from foreign exchange. The company raised its outlook for organic sales growth from a range of 2-4% to a range of 4-5%.