Q3 Sales Jump 15% at L’Oréal

L’Oréal said third-quarter sales totaled 4.85 billion euros ($6.77 billion) compared with 4.24 billion euros a year earlier. Eliminating currency fluctuations and acquisitions, sales grew 5.8%.

“The growth is due to the improvement in market share,” L’Oréal Chief Executive Jean-Paul Agon. “Organic growth remained sustained in the third quarter, despite a higher comparison base. This performance confirms the clear upturn in sales recorded since the start of the year.

According to Agon, all the divisions are contributing to this expansion. Consumer products are significantly strengthening their positions, thanks in particular to the very strong dynamism of Maybelline. Luxury Products are being bolstered by the vitality of the division’s major brands—Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent and Giorgio Armani—and by the success of its latest fragrance launches and the global roll-out of Kiehl’s. Professional Products are continuing their conquest of new salons, thanks, in particular, to the powerful roll-out of the new hair colorant Inoa.

In geographical terms, growth is solid in North America and the group is strongly reinforcing its positions in the new markets, particularly in Latin America and Asia.

“Overall, the growth rate for the first 9 months bears out our major strategic choices,” said Agon. “In a growing cosmetics market, and despite a less favourable monetary context, we are confirming our aim of strengthening, over the full-year, our worldwide positions and the profitability of our businesses.”

More info: www.loreal.com