The German consumer chemicals and cosmetics group Henkel, owner of Schwarzkopf, has reported strong third quarter growth across the group with sales in the cosmetics and body care division rising by 7.3% - higher than the average for the cosmetics market as a whole. Business has been especially positive in Eastern Europe and Latin America. Operating profits in the division were up 6.4% to E95m.
Hair care cosmetics continued to sell well and achieved record market share in all categories - colour, care and styling - on the European market. The deodorants area was helped by the relaunch of Right Guard in the UK and the Fa and Dial brands of body care products helped improve growth in that sector. The strong Europe-wide market position of the leading skin care product Diadermine was expanded in the reporting quarter, assisted by the relaunch of the Diadmerine Lift+ line and the start of a new premium line Age ExCellium.
The group's third quarter net profits were up 12.9% to E245m with overall third quarter sales rising by 3% to E3.3bn. Henkel has said that for the full year it expects growth of 5% to 6% compared with a current rate of 4% to 5%.