China has recently overtaken the US as the second largest market for luxury goods and growth is not expected to slow, making it a crucial target for high-end cosmetic players.
Procter & Gamble will be increasing the number of brands and products it offers in emerging markets in order to make the most of the growth potential they hold.
Growth in all its geographical markets excluding the US helped France-based natural cosmetics company L’Occitane deliver a profit above original estimates.
Continuing a tradition of family leadership across its portfolio of brands, Estée Lauder has promoted Jane Lauder to the position of global president, general manager of Origins and Ojon.
Brenntag is to acquire Asian chemicals distributor EAC Industrial Ingredients for €160m cash in a move that will significantly expand its presence in the Asia food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors.
High-end mass market cosmetics brands such as Olay from P&G and prestige brands such as Estée Lauder are likely to outperform lower-end brands such as Avon in China, according to a new report from Bernstein Research.
A ‘buoyant’ performance in Hong Kong and Macau and strong online sales helped Hong Kong-based cosmetics retailer Sa Sa deliver a 2009 annual turnover of HK$4.1bn (€430m), up 13.9 per cent on the previous year.
Rigid plastic packaging supplier RPC has warned that significant increases in polymer prices will be passed on to its food and personal care customers.
International chemicals company Rhodia has announced plans to acquire China-based Feixiang Chemicals (ZJG), strengthening its position in both the surfactants market and Asia-Pacific region.
As many foreign cosmetics companies face up to the challenge of rising wages in China, the fact is that while costs rise, increased spending power is likely to translate into higher domestic sales.
The US arm of Shiseido fragrance division, Beaute Prestige International (BPI), has signed a distribution agreement with France-based luxury perfume house Annick Goutal Parfums.
Increasing its footprint in the cosmetics and personal care market, Switzerland’s second largest retailer, the Coop Group, has acquired The Body Shop Switzerland.
Shortly after announcing its acquisition of hair color specialist Issue Group, India-based Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) has said it is to purchase another Argentine hair care player.
Flavour and fragrance ingredients manufacturer and supplier, Treatt, said its Group results for the six months period ending 31 March 2010 were ‘satisfactory’ in light of current economic conditions.
Anglo-Dutch consumer giant, Unilever, has announced it expects its acquisition of Sara Lee’s personal care and European laundry business to be completed by Q4 2010.
German chemicals and nutrients giant Cognis has turned in its best ever Q1 operating profit as sales across its three core divisions exceeded 2008 pre-financial crisis volumes in 2008 for the first time - fueling ongoing buy-out speculation.
Indian personal care products company, Marico, has acquired the aesthetics businesses of Singapore-based Derma Rx Asia Pacific through its skin care solutions subsidiary, Kaya.
Beiersdorf reported strong like-for-like sales growth driven by a marked recovery in its Tesa adhesive group, but the consumer goods division shows a very mixed performance.
US-based International Flavors & Fragrances recorded a 17 percent increase in first quarter revenue, aided by robust Fragrance sales and a strong performance from both divisions in Asia.
French cosmetics player L'Occitane says its recent IPO has helped it to raise HK$5.5bn (€553m) as part of efforts to target expansion in the fast growing China market.
Germany-based Henkel reported a 7.8 per cent increase in first quarter sales aided by an ‘impressive sales performance’ in its cosmetics and toiletries division.
Colgate-Palmolive has announced strong sales growth for its first quarter, driven by robust overseas sales, but tax charges relating to the Venezuelan currency devaluation hit profits.
Direct-seller Avon has reported a 14 percent increase in first quarter revenue aided by double digit sales growth in the company’s strongest markets; Europe and Latin America.
French plant-derived ingredient supplier Naturex has reported revenues and profits in line with its 2009 targets, and is working on the full integration of recently acquired Natraceutical assets.
Steady growth in overseas sales failed to offset a poor domestic performance for Japan-based Shiseido, resulting in a 6.7 per cent decline in consolidated net sales for 2009.
Estee Lauder Companies has beat profit expectations having posted a 10 percent increase in Q3 sales as consumers of prestige products return to their old spending patterns.
Global Japan-based personal care provider Kao was hard hit by the global recession in 2009, although there are clear signs that the downward trend is looking up again.
Kimberly-Clark registered sales growth of 7.6 percent for its first quarter, boosted by a steady increase in organic sales and positive currency translations.
With recent industry financial results indicating that the worst of the economic crisis might be over, the first quarter of 2010 has in turn been marked by a flurry of M&A activity.
Investment company Heliad Equity Partners has acquired an indirect 40 per cent interest in Germany-based cosmetics producer Baden-Baden Cosmetics Group.
Pharmaceutical giant Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) has appointed an ex L’Oreal executive as president of consumer health care as part of its push to drive this side of the business.
Japan-based personal care giant Shiseido says it is targeting further growth in the fast-growing Chinese market by focusing on the luxury professional hair care market.
Kimberly-Clark has weathered the economic storm relatively well compared to the other big personal care players, prompting the company to paint a rosy long-term forecast.
BASF was hard hit by the global downturn in 2009 and is turning to sustainability measures as a means of cutting costs and getting the business back on track.
French cosmetics and bath products provider L’Occitane is preparing for its initial public offering on the Hong Kong stock exchange, according to press reports.
Personal care sales help to propel Beiersdorf to the close of a tough year, underlined by the fact that the company outperformed average market growth.