24th Apr 2015 06:18
LONDON (Alliance News) - Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC on Friday reported like-for-like sales growth across the business of 5% on a year earlier, with solid performances in its health and hygiene franchises slightly offset by like-for-like sales declines in its home and portfolio brands businesses.
The FTSE 100-listed consumer goods group, which makes brands ranging from cleaning products such as Cillit Bang to ibuprofen brand Nurofen, said like-for-like net revenue growth in its health business was 13%, with strong growth for its Nurofen, Gaviscon, Strepsils, Durex and Airborne brands and with its consumer health franchise generally boosted by a strong cold and flu season.
Like-for-like sales rose 3% on year in its hygiene division, with good growth in its Dettol and Harpic brands. Growth was slightly held back in the division by the lapping of stocking of its Power & Pure brand in several markets in the first quarter the year earlier, along with promotional pressure this year.
But like-for-like sales declined in its home arm in the quarter, with good growth of its Vanish products offset by a slow start for its Air Wick brands. Like-for-like sales also declined in its portfolio brands division, which predominantly includes laundry detergents and fabric softeners, with both of those product lines putting up a weak performance. Its food products performed well, boosted by an early Easter.
Reckitt said it remains on track to meet its full-year target of 4% like-for-like net revenue growth and to improve its margins.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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