Estée Lauder year-end and Q4 results show a lift in sales

By Deanna Utroske

- Last updated on GMT

Estée Lauder year-end and Q4 results show a lift in sales

Related tags Estée lauder Retailing

Late last week the beauty and fragrance manufacturer announced its most recent financial results, with sales up in all categories, makeup performing best, and a net sales increase across the region—in Canada, the States, and Latin America.

Calling the results, cause to celebrate, Estée Lauder president and CEO Fabrizio Freda, notes that “we capitalized on shifting consumer preferences by leveraging our strength in makeup and positioning our Company to win in luxury fragrances.

“We nimbly allocated resources and made strategic investments in areas that gave us terrific results, including emerging markets, our makeup category, and the online and specialty-multi retail channels,” ​he explains in a company press release. “Importantly, we achieved these results against a backdrop of social and political instability, currency volatility and economic challenges.”

Makeup and fragrance

These categories were the winners for Estée Lauder.  For the year, makeup sales rose 9% on a reported basis, 15% in constant terms. And, fragrance sales were up 5% on a reported basis and 10% in constant currency.

The growth in the makeup business came in large part from double-digit gains at MAC, Smashbox, and Tom Ford.  “These sales increases resulted from new product offerings, as well as the broadening of the brands’ presence in a number of channels, including freestanding retail stores, travel retail and specialty-multi brand retailers to reach new consumers,” ​explains the company.

Skin and hair

Skin care had a 3% lift in sales for the year, a figure that’s down 1% in constant currency terms. Hair care was up 4%, 7% in constant terms.

La Mer skin care did well. But the company points to an industry wide decline in the category and slowing sales of Estée Lauder and Clinique skin care (especially in Hong Kong) to account for the lower numbers.

Credit for the growth in hair care goes to “recent product launches, such as Invati Men, Shampure dry shampoo and the Thickening Tonic by Aveda,” ​according to the company release. Aveda hair care grew in salons, travel retail, and ecommerce; while Bumble and bumble did well at specialty retail shops and thanks to “selective global expansion.”

Places

Adjusted net sales in the Americas region were up 2% for the year. Estée Lauder credits the lift in North American sales to a selection of top selling brands: Tom Ford, Jo Malone, Smashbox, La Mer, MAC, and Bobbi Brown.

The company likely would have done even better were it not for a decline in tourism, witch Estée Lauder believes contributed to lower sales of Clinique and Estée Lauder in department stores as well as lower sales at standalone MAC boutiques. 

That same brand, MAC, led sales growth in Brazil, Mexico, and the rest of Latin America. Separately, Canada saw a sales lift for the year as well.

Related news

Related products

show more

How Nutricosmetics Can Enhance Skin Beauty

How Nutricosmetics Can Enhance Skin Beauty

Content provided by Activ'Inside | 11-Dec-2023 | White Paper

In the ever-evolving realm of nutricosmetics, where inner wellness meets outer beauty, few natural ingredients have captured the spotlight quite like grapes.

Ultimate Antimicrobial Solution for BPC

Ultimate Antimicrobial Solution for BPC

Content provided by Acme-Hardesty Company | 11-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Sharomix™ EG10, a versatile broad-spectrum antimicrobial liquid blend for preserving personal care products, ensures safety at usage levels ranging from...

Acme-Hardesty Expands Product Line into Canada

Acme-Hardesty Expands Product Line into Canada

Content provided by Acme-Hardesty Company | 07-Jul-2023 | Product Brochure

Acme-Hardesty’s latest expansion into Canada includes Resplanta®, Botaneco®, and BYK from our partners Sharon Personal Care and Eckart Effect Pigments...

Create gentler, eco-friendly personal care

Create gentler, eco-friendly personal care

Content provided by Covation Bio™ PDO | 22-Jun-2023 | White Paper

Zemea® propanediol is a 100% plant-based humectant and solvent that’s easy on skin and the planet. This single, natural ingredient boosts moisturization...

Related suppliers