Beiersdorf achieves sales growth of 2.1%

Beiersdorf Group’s sales for fiscal year 2011 increased by 2.1% compared with the previous year on a like-for-like basis. The Group’s preliminary figures show nominal sales growth of 1.1% to €5,633 million. The operating result (EBIT), excluding special factors, amounted to approximately €646 million, while the corresponding EBIT margin was 11.5% in comparison to 12.5% in 2010.

The Consumer business segment’s sales increased organically by 1.1% to €4,696 million. Performance in the global consumer markets differed substantially. Business in the United Kingdom and Russia was extremely positive, while sales in other European countries did not match prior-year levels due to the streamlining of the product range, among other things. The segment’s growth in Latin America was particularly strong. In the Africa/Asia/Australia region, sales were up only slightly on the previous year, due to the impact of the reorganization of business structures in China. Preliminary Consumer EBIT, excluding special factors, was approximately €537 million, corresponding to an EBIT margin of 11.4%.

“We realigned and strengthened our Consumer business in 2011 by comprehensively streamlining our product assortment and thanks to the global marketing measures relating to the 100th anniversary of our Nivea brand,” said Thomas-B. Quaas, Chairman of the Executive Board of Beiersdorf AG.

All figures for 2011 are preliminary and have not been audited. The year-end financial statements for the Beiersdorf Group and Beiersdorf AG will be prepared by the Executive Board at the beginning of February and approved by the Supervisory Board at the end of that month. The Annual Accounts Press Conference and the Financial Analyst Meeting will take place on March 1, 2012, in Hamburg.

About Beiersdorf AG

Cosmetics company Beiersdorf AG is based in Hamburg, Germany, and has around 18,000 employees worldwide. Its sales in 2010 amounted to €5.571 billion (using the new sales presentation format). The company has been listed on the DAX since December 2008. Beiersdorf’s Nivea is the world’s largest skin care brand.* Other names in its successful international brand portfolio include Eucerin, La Prairie, Labello, 8x4, and Hansaplast/Elastoplast. Beiersdorf has almost 130 years of skin care experience and is well-known for its innovative and high-quality products.

* Source: Euromonitor. Sales figures 2010 according to brand; facial, body, and hand care products.