L'Oreal sales rise on haircare boom and 'lipstick effect'

The world's largest cosmetics company L'Oreal reported better-than-expected quarterly sales ​on Wednesday, boosted by strong demand for new hair ‌products and mascaras.
The Paris-based maker of CeraVe skincare, Maybelline make-up and Valentino perfume said sales for the three months to end-June came to €11.6 billion ($13.21 billion), ​up 6.3% on a like-for-like basis after adjustment for the ​phasing in of its new IT system.
That was slightly ⁠above expectations of 5.7% growth in a consensus of analysts provided ​by Visible Alpha.
The company typically outpaces the global beauty market, with ​a portfolio ranging from mass-market L'Oreal Paris brand makeup and creams to high-end designer perfume and shampoos used in hair salons.
While growth slowed from 6.7% ​in the first quarter based on tougher comparisons, sales in the ​company's largest business unit, comprising mass-market products, increased more than expected, helped in ‌Europe ⁠by growth in hair products and "a remarkable outperformance online".
CEO Nicolas Hieronimus in April referred to the "lipstick effect", or buying cosmetics to feel better in stressful times.
That helped l'Oreal's sales in Europe, its largest region, ​where the cost-of-living ​crisis is ⁠biting, to rise 6.7% on an adjusted like-for-like basis, while sales in North America, its second-largest region, ​rose 5.9%.
Beauty peer Unilever on Tuesday reported underlying sales ​growth of ⁠8% in its beauty and wellbeing unit for the quarter.
In L'Oreal's Luxe division, representing a third of its sales, growth lagged forecasts at ⁠4.7%, ​despite posting double-digit growth in China.
Problems ​in China's travel retail sector continue to curtail growth, it added.
Shares in L'Oreal are up ​4% year to date.


-Reuters