First quarter 2011 sales

Good start to the year
Sales: 5.16 billion euros
      +9.3% based on reported figures
      +5.8% like-for-like
Strong growth in Consumer Products and Luxury ProductsGood performance in North AmericaContinuing dynamism in New Markets

Commenting on the figures, Mr Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and CEO of L'Oréal, said:

“The start to this year is encouraging, as it confirms the group’s good dynamics, to which all divisions are contributing, particularly Consumer Products and Luxury Products, driven by the vitality of their major brands: L’Oréal Paris and Maybelline on the one hand, and Lancôme, Giorgio Armani and Kiehl’s, on the other.

In geographic terms, North America is accelerating strongly. Growth continues to be robust in the New Markets, particularly in Latin America, in Asia excluding Japan, and in Africa, Middle East. However, the situation remains more contrasting across Europe. 

These performances reflect the quality of our innovations, the force and diversity of the brand portfolio, and the right balance in our geographic positions. 

Although it is not possible to extrapolate from these figures, and despite an uncertain exchange rate environment, the first months of the year give us confidence in our ability to outperform the market in 2011, strengthen our worldwide positions, and achieve another year of growth in both sales and profits.”   

A – First quarter 2011 sales

Like-for-like, i.e. based on a comparable structure and identical exchange rates, the sales growth of the L'Oréal group was +5.8%.
The net impact of changes in consolidation was +0.6%.
Currency fluctuations had a positive impact of +2.9%.
Growth at constant exchange rates was +6.4%.
Based on reported figures, the group's sales at March 31, 2011 amounted to 5.16 billion euros, an increase of +9.3%.

Sales by operational division and geographic zone

 (1) Group share, i.e. 50%.

1) Cosmetics sales

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS

In the first quarter the Professional Products Division posted growth of +3.1% like-for-like, faster than the market trend, and +9.6% based on reported figures (after taking into account the impact of currency fluctuations and of changes in consolidation due to the acquisition of distributors in the United States). It continued its expansion with an additional 20,000 active salons compared to the first quarter of 2010.

• L’Oréal Professionnel is continuing to prove dynamic, thanks to the worldwide success of the Inoa hair colourant and the new franchise Inoa Supreme, the first ammonia-free anti-ageing hair colourant.
  Redken is reinforcing its leadership in acidic hair colourants, with the launch of Shades EQ Cream, and Matrix is rolling out SoColor and WonderBrown in accessible price formats.
  At Kérastase, Elixir Ultime, a beautifying oil launched at the end of 2010, and Chroma Sensitive, are proving extremely successful.
• In Western Europe and in North America, the division’s sales are growing slightly in a lacklustre market context. In the New Markets, the division’s brands are producing very good performances in Latin America, Asia, Pacific, and Africa, Middle East.

CONSUMER PRODUCTS

The Consumer Products Division achieved sales growth of +6.3% like-for-like, and +9.4% based on reported figures. The division is continuing to strongly advance in North America and in the New Markets.

• L’Oréal Paris made a good start to the year, with major innovations: Sublime Mousse hair colourant, Elsève Volume collagen shampoo, Lash Architect 4D mascara and the new Youth Code skincare.
  Garnier launched its haircare line Fructis Pure Clean, and Intensive 7 days body lotions.
  The powerful momentum of Maybelline is continuing with Lash by Lash mascara, Superstay 24 lipstick and Fit Me foundations and powders.
• The West European market is flat, except in make-up, where the division is continuing to win market share. In North America, where the market is growing slightly, the division is improving its positions in all categories. In Latin America, the market trend remains very favourable, and the division is advancing, particularly in deodorants. In Asia excluding Japan, where markets are also growing, the division is being boosted by the haircare and make-up segments. There is a contrasting situation in Eastern Europe, because of the difficulties in Central European markets, and the phasing of launches in Russia. 

LUXURY PRODUCTS

The Luxury Products Division recorded growth of +7.7% like-for-like and +10.3% based on reported figures. The division’s sell-out accelerated significantly in the United States, and remained very dynamic in the New Markets.

• Lancôme is continuing to score successes in skincare with Génifique and Absolue; the brand is accelerating in make-up thanks to Teint Miracle and the Color Design eye shadow range.
  Yves Saint Laurent remains dynamic in sell-out terms, particularly in men’s fragrances, and its sales should gradually build up throughout the year in view of its launch phasing.
  Giorgio Armani continued its breakthrough in women’s fragrances with Acqua di Gioia, and is bolstering its leadership in men’s fragrances with Acqua di Giò and Armani Code which will be strengthened as of April with the launch of Armani Code Sport. The strategic launch of the skincare line Régénessence is confirming Giorgio Armani’s expansion in all beauty fields.
  Kiehl’s is continuing its global expansion at a very dynamic rate in all zones, thanks to its facial skincare lines.
  Lastly, Biotherm is hitting the headlines with its anti-fatigue line Skin’Ergetic, a major innovation in fresh cosmetics.
• In Western Europe, the division’s sales were boosted by Yves Saint Laurent and Kiehl’s, which is improving its geographical presence. In a dynamic North American market, sales trends are extremely favourable, thanks to Lancôme, Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren as well as the success of Kiehl’s.
  In the New Markets, the division’s strong growth is continuing, particularly in China, Hong Kong and South Korea. Lancôme, Shu Uemura, Kiehl’s – which has just been launched in India – and Helena Rubinstein are driving the division’s growth in Asia. Sales are also rising substantially in Latin America, Russia and the Middle East.

ACTIVE COSMETICS

The sales of the Active Cosmetics Division at end-March grew by +4.9% like-for-like and +6.7% based on reported figures, thanks to the dynamism of the New Markets, particularly Latin America.

• La Roche-Posay is continuing its strong growth in the New Markets (Brazil, Russia and the Gulf states). Facial skincare is being driven by the launch of Tolériane Ultra, designed for ultra-sensitive and allergic skin, and Substiane [+] for mature skin.
  Vichy kicked off the year with a major facial skincare initiative, LiftActiv Derm Source, and is expanding its share of the bodycare market with Nutri-Extra.
  Innéov is continuing its international development with outstanding performances in Latin America. The new product Anti-Fatigue Integral has made a promising start in Europe.
  SkinCeuticals is continuing its global roll-out, and is now arriving in China and Brazil.
  Roger&Gallet is successfully continuing its internationalisation in Europe, and is now moving into Canada and Brazil, thanks in particular to its latest fragrance Fleur d’Osmanthus.
• As the market trend is lacklustre in Western Europe, growth is being driven by the New Markets, with strong performances in Latin America and Africa, Middle East, as well as by North America.

Multi-division summary by geographic zone

WESTERN EUROPE

In a globally flat market, the group achieved growth of +0.5% like-for-like, and +1.5% based on reported figures, thanks in particular to the United Kingdom, Northern Europe, and continuing dynamism in Travel Retail. The situation is more uncertain in some South European countries.

NORTH AMERICA

In the first quarter, North America achieved growth of +7.2% like-for-like and +11.9% based on reported figures. All divisions recorded positive growth. The Luxury Products Division made a good start to the year, with in particular a rebound at Lancôme, while the Consumer Products Division is making clear market share gains in all categories.

NEW MARKETS

With growth of +11.6% like-for-like and +17.2% based on reported figures, the group is continuing to strengthen its positions. Excluding Japan, the New Markets zone is at +13.0% like-for-like.

• Asia, Pacific: the group recorded growth of +11.7% like-for-like and +18.8% based on reported figures. In Japan, where a severe earthquake hit the east of the country, our teams demonstrated great solidarity and a remarkable ability to rally round. The employees of L’Oréal Japan were not directly affected, and the facilities were not damaged. The sales trend was at -5.9% like-for-like (+5.0% based on reported figures) at end-March, but it is too early to evaluate the impact on the full year. Excluding Japan, the growth rate was +14.7%, as the good performances are continuing not only in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, but also in the ASEAN countries and India.
• Eastern Europe: this zone recorded -1.5% like-for-like, with a strong comparative base, and with launch phasing focused more on the coming months. There is a contrast in results between Ukraine and Russia on the one hand, and the countries of Central Europe on the other, which are more difficult.
• Latin America: there was a good start to the year, with sales growing by +24.1% like-for-like and +31.5% based on reported figures. Growth is strong in all countries, particularly in Brazil and Argentina. The four divisions are continuing to prove very dynamic, although the comparative base had taken an impact from the effects of the earthquake in Chile.
• Africa, Middle East: sales increased by +16.0% like-for-like, with strong growth in South Africa, boosted by favourable commercial phasing. Turkey is extremely dynamic. Events in North Africa and the Middle East have up to now had a limited impact on growth in this zone.
  

2) The Body Shop sales

At end-March, The Body Shop sales recorded like-for-like growth at +0.8%. Retail sales⁽¹⁾ are at +0.9%.
The Body Shop is recording very strong growth rates in the New Markets, particularly in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Southern Asia, and is continuing to extend its distribution in these areas. The brand is also making great strides forward in e-commerce and in Travel Retail, where its visibility is increasing. On the other hand, the brand is feeling the impact of an environment seriously affected by natural disasters in Japan and Australia.The Body Shop is stepping up its militant approach to innovations, with launches including Earthlovers, a range of eco-designed, 100%-biodegradable shower gels.
At end-March 2011, The Body Shop has a total of 2,613 stores.

(1) Retail sales: total sales to consumers through all channels, including franchisees.

3) Galderma sales

Galderma’s sales increased by +5.9%, like-for-like.

Epiduo (acne), Azzalure (muscle relaxant for frown lines) and Cetaphil (therapeutic skincare) recorded double digit growth and compensated sales erosion due to the entry of generics of Differin 0.1% gel and cream (acne) in the United States, and Loceryl nail lacquer (onychomycosis) in France. Southeast Asia and South Korea in particular show solid growth, as do Canada, Brazil and Argentina.There was a slowdown in sales in Galderma’s traditional markets in Europe and the United States.

The main event of the last quarter was the completion on February 25, 2011 of the cash offer for the acquisition of Q-Med launched on January 3, 2011. Q-Med is the leader in developing and commercialising medical device products based on hyaluronic acid which includes the facial dermal filler Restylane and Macrolane for body contouring. The expanded portfolio accelerates Galderma’s strategy for growing its aesthetic procedures business, catapulting the company into a leading position in the global market for injectables and allowing the company to more effectively meet the needs of doctors and patients. Q-Med has been consolidated in Galderma's financial statements since March 1, 2011.

B – Important events during the period 01/01/11 - 03/31/11

Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones informed the Board of Directors, at its meeting on February 10, 2011, that he wished to complete the transfer of his responsibilities to his successor before his 65th birthday, as planned from the outset and announced at the Annual General Meeting in 2005. The Board voted unanimously in favour of appointing Mr Jean-Paul Agon as Chairman and CEO of L’Oréal. This appointment became effective as of March 17, 2011. 

“This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy L’Oréal shares. If you wish to obtain more comprehensive information about L’Oréal, please refer to the public documents registered in France with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, also available in English on our Internet site www.loreal-finance.com.
This news release may contain some forward-looking statements. Athough the Company considers that these statements are based on reasonable hypotheses at the date of publication of this release, they are by their nature subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or projected in these statements.”

Contacts at L'ORÉAL

Individual shareholders and market authorities
Mr Jean Régis CAROF
Tel.: +33 1 47 56 83 02
[email protected]

Financial analysts and institutional investors
Mrs Françoise LAUVIN
Tel.: +33 1 47 56 79 15
[email protected]

Journalists
Mrs Stephanie CARSON-PARKER
Tel.: +33 1 47 56 76 71
[email protected]

Switchboard
Tel.: +33 1 47 56 70 00

For more information, please contact your bank, broker or financial institution (I.S.I.N. code: FR0000120321), and consult your usual newspapers, and the Internet site for shareholders and investors, http://www.loreal-finance.com, or its mobile version on your cell phone, http://loreal-finance.mobi; alternatively, call +33 1 40 14 80 50.

C - Annexe

Appendix 1: L'Oréal group sales 2010/2011 (€ millions)