German beauty manufacturer Beiersdorf has posted 5.4% growth in Q1 2013. The consumer division, which includes the Nivea and other cosmetics and care product ranges, increased sales in the quarter by 5.7% in organic terms to €1.27bn. Nivea sales alone rose at a similar rate while the Eucerin range went up 9.4% and La Prairie by 8.2%. The companys pre-tax earnings (EBIT) rose from €164m to €178m.
European sales were down 1.2% in the the reporting quarter over the like, year earlier quarter as consumption contracted, notably in the southern European markets. Marked growth was achieved in the Americas with a rise of 14.8%, fuelled by Latin American sales which increased by 21.6%. North America put on 5.4% growth. Sales rose 16% in the Africa-Asia-Australia region. Overall consumer division market growth outpaced that of the market as a whole.