Q2 Sales Jump 20% At Inter Parfums

• Inter Parfums’ second quarter sales rose 20% to $145.6 million. European sales rose 18% to $125.6 million and US sales rose 37% to $20 million. For the six months, sales rose 22% to nearly $311 million. US sales were up 19% to $228.1 million and European sales increased 52% to $26.3 million.

According to Jean Madar, chairman and CEO of Inter Parfums, European results were bolstered by strong performances across the brand portfolio. Compared to the same periods in 2011, Burberry’s sales rose 34% for the current second quarter and 21% for the first half on strong growth of established fragrances, including Burberry Body, which launched in late 2011. While there were no major launches this year, Lanvin fragrance sales increased 13% for the quarter and year-to-date due to continuing gains by Eclat d’Arpège and the steady performances by Jeanne Lanvin and Marry Me! With Montblanc Legend as the catalyst, Montblanc brand sales rose 72% in the second quarter and 75% through the first half, according to the company.

“We are likewise delighted by the momentum of Jimmy Choo fragrances that began in 2011 with the eau de parfum, and continued in 2012 with the eau de toilette, resulting in a 13% and 42% increase in brand sales for the second quarter and first half, respectively,” said Madar. “Some of the smaller brands in our portfolio are also generating significant year-to-date gains, including Boucheron, which had a more than fivefold increase in sales, and S.T. Dupont with a 48% sales increase compared to the first half of 2011.”

Madar also noted that top line growth was especially strong in North America, the Middle East, Asia, and South America, where year-to-date sales rose 56%, 40%, 22%, and 35%, respectively. Inter Parfums posted significant sales growth in Eastern Europe with first half gains of 25%. Despite the slowdown in consumer spending in selected countries in Western Europe, first half sales were 10% ahead of the same period last year.

On the subject of US-based operations, Madar said, “As was the case in the first quarter, second quarter sales benefited from the inclusion of Anna Sui fragrance sales and the launch of our first Nine West fragrance, Love Fury. Additionally we brought a number of new products to market during the quarter including: Miss Madison by Brooks Brothers, Wishes & Dreams for bebe, and a new men’s scent, Wildbloom Blue for Banana Republic. Finally, international distribution of the US specialty retail brands in our portfolio has been an ongoing success and a contributor to our top line growth.”