2015 was a great year for L’Oréal Luxe, with annual sales increasing by +6.1% like-for-like and +16.7% based on reported figures. We topped the seven billion euro mark just one year after hitting six billion. Despite fluctuations in the market environment, L’Oréal Luxe continues to post great consistency in its performance year after year, while gaining market shares. All our Zones recorded increases in 2015, but I am particularly satisfied with the performance of Western Europe, up by +5.4%(1), way above the market figure, and even in Southern Europe. North America also ended the year well in a dynamic market, and the New Markets distinguished themselves.

L’Oréal Luxe make-up was highly dynamic in 2015, driven by LANCÔME, YVES SAINT LAURENT, GIORGIO ARMANI, URBAN DECAY and SHU UEMURA. In skincare, the highlight was the great year achieved by KIEHL’S. The fragrances category also progressed, thanks to the spectacular success of our last three major launches in women’s fragrances: “La Vie Est Belle” by LANCÔME, Sì by GIORGIO ARMANI, and Black Opium by YVES SAINT LAURENT – all of which feature in the European Top 10(2) – and the solid performance from our men’s fragrance lines such as Polo Red by RALPH LAUREN and Acqua di Giò Profumo by GIORGIO ARMANI.

For me, 2015 was the year of YVES SAINT LAURENT, with like-for-like growth of +18.4%(1). In addition to Black Opium, YVES SAINT LAURENT Beauty recorded very good growth, with real creative leadership in lip make-up.
LANCÔME celebrated its 80^th anniversary in 2015, performing very strongly in Europe, China and the United States. Customer experience was enhanced everywhere, like at the stunning counter at the Printemps Haussmann department store. Fragrances recorded double-digit growth and the brand is picking up speed again in the make-up sector, with the launch of Miracle Cushion, a fluid foundation in a compact case delivered through a cushion. The first of a grand series of innovations to be released over the coming months.

URBAN DECAY has been one of the finest acquisitions made by L’Oréal Luxe in recent years. Now present in 35 countries, the brand grew by more than +32.0%(1), with a compelling business model both in the field and online. Finally, great progress was achieved with our brand digital strategies and there was high growth and significant contribution from e-commerce, which already accounts for more than 8% of our sales(3).

In 2016, we want to strengthen our relationship and partnerships with major worldwide retailers. At the same time, our ambition is to take our direct-to-consumer efforts to the next level thanks to CRM(4), e-commerce and digital targeting, to engage in a personalised relationship with our customers in order to provide even better service. We also need to reconcile the longer time frame of luxury – that of quality and brand heritage – with the shorter spans and agility required by today’s world. This will involve a policy of breakthrough innovations, a permanent challenge for our business.