Results of Operations – Business Segments

Consumer

Consumer

Sales in the Consumer Business Segment grew organically by 10.5% in 2022. In nominal terms, sales increased by 16.3% to €7,131 million (previous year: € 6,129 million). Exchange rate effects increased nominal growth by 4.6 percentage points. The structural effect from the acquisition of Chantecaille positively impacted nominal growth by 1.2 percentage points.

All regions and brands contributed to the growth in the Consumer Business Segment. Beiersdorf gained market share on every continent, particularly with the NIVEA brand in Europe, with very strong development in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Spain, and with the Derma business unit’s Eucerin and Aquaphor brands in the United States, Mexico, and Germany. The Healthcare business also gained market share, particularly in Australia, Mexico, and Indonesia.

The rates of sales growth trended upward in all regions, especially in the Americas and in Africa/Asia/Australia, where sales rose by double-digit percentages year on year. NIVEA achieved strong growth rates overall. Derma, Healthcare, and the La Prairie brand put in strong growth figures and contributed to the business segment’s excellent performance.

EBIT excluding special factors was €880 million (previous year: €740 million). The EBIT margin excluding special factors was 12.3% (previous year: 12.1%). Special factors comprised expenditure of €5 million from the “Care Beyond Skin” program, restructuring expenses, primarily in the supply chain organization of €43 million, and expenditure of €4 million in connection with the integration of the Chantecaille business. The operating result for the Consumer Business Segment including special factors therefore stood at €828 million (previous year: €680 million), while the EBIT margin was 11.6% (previous year: 11.1%).

NIVEA grew organically by 9.6% globally in 2022. Nominal sales increased from €4,116 million to €4,652 million. The strong almost double-digit sales growth in percentage terms was based on gains in market share in all regions and almost all main categories. NIVEA saw growth in both volume and price. This was driven especially by the emerging markets region, the introduction of new products, and a strong performance by the basic range. All main categories posted growth in 2022. The main growth drivers were NIVEA Deo, NIVEA SUN, NIVEA Body, NIVEA Lip, and NIVEA Face. In the NIVEA Deo category, existing product lines such as Black & White and Fresh and expanded lines such as Pearl&Beauty were among the key growth drivers. The NIVEA SUN business showed remarkable growth in all regions and almost all ranges, outperforming the pre-COVID-19 sales level. NIVEA also achieved very positive sales performance in the core body care business with ranges such as Essentials. NIVEA Lip grew strongly in almost all product ranges and regions. In the NIVEA Face category, the continued excellent performance of the newly launched NIVEA Cellular LUMINOUS 630® contributed to the strong sales growth. The NIVEA hair care category saw a further decline.

The Derma business unit performed particularly well, with organic sales growth of 23.9%. Nominal sales were up from €790 million to €1,026 million. Sales growth was achieved in all regions and categories. Strong growth acceleration was achieved in our key market USA, in the South America and MEA region, and in our white spot market China. A positive contribution to growth came primarily from the Eucerin face category, mainly from the subcategories anti-pigment and acne, driven by the further expansion of our Thiamidol range. In addition, our sun category contributed to strong above-average growth, supported by the launch of Eucerin Sun in the USA and the success of our new product launches such as Oil and Pigment Control Tinted. In Body Care, the Eucerin Urea range and Aquaphor recorded particularly strong sales growth. In general, the online sales channel was an important sales driver.

Healthcare recorded organic sales growth of 13.1% and reached a new milestone of €261 million (previous year: €225 million). The double-digit sales growth in percentage terms was based on strong, consistent implementation of brand innovations, including sustainable plasters in the field of wound care. This growth was seen in all major markets. Wound plasters continue to be a strong pillar and growth driver for overall growth.

In the selective cosmetics business unit, our La Prairie brand increased organic sales by 1.9%. Nominal sales were up from €599 million to €655 million. This result was mainly due to the recovery of the important travel retail business and the upturn in brick-and-mortar retail in North America, while the local market in China faced major challenges from COVID-19 restrictions. The launches of White Caviar Essence Extraordinaire, Pure Gold Radiance Nocturnal Balm, and Skin Caviar Harmony L’Extrait acted as the growth drivers.

In the Europe region, organic sales were up 5.0% on the previous year. Nominal sales climbed by 6.7% to €3,104 million (previous year: €2,910 million).

In Western Europe, organic sales rose by 5.3%. Healthy growth rates were achieved especially in Great Britain, Spain, Italy, and Denmark. Sales in NIVEA Deo, SUN, and Universal Creams along with the wound care categories in the Healthcare area developed especially positively. The Eucerin Face, Body, and Sun categories also contributed to sales growth. There was a significant impact from the recovery of the travel retail business at the La Prairie brand.

Sales in Eastern Europe were up 3.7% on the previous year in organic terms. This trend was partly driven by strong growth in Poland and Romania and by the positive performance in other Eastern European countries. The NIVEA Deo, SUN & Lip Care and Eucerin Face, Sun & Body categories performed especially well in the region. In Russia, business with La Prairie was reduced completely and with other products in the consumer segment significantly. Due to the reduced business activities in Russia and the conflict in Ukraine, growth in Eastern Europe was below average.

In the Americas region, the Consumer Business Segment achieved strong organic sales growth of 23.2%. At €1,841 million, nominal sales were up 41.4% on the previous year (€1,302 million).

In North America, there was positive organic sales growth of 17.6%. The Coppertone, Aquaphor, and Eucerin brands were the key growth drivers.

Very good organic sales growth of 28.6% was also achieved in Latin America. Nominal sales in the region rose by 43.4% due to the substantial exchange rate effects. Sales growth was seen in almost all countries. This was particularly strong in Brazil and Mexico. Both NIVEA and Eucerin were strong growth drivers.

Sales in the Africa/Asia/Australia region grew by 10.2% in organic terms. In nominal terms, sales rose by 14.0% to €2,186 million (previous year: €1,917 million). Sales trends were especially positive in Indonesia, India, Nigeria, and South Africa. In particular, NIVEA Deo, Face, and SUN all performed very well. Eucerin also achieved strong growth in the region, especially in China.

Consumer Sales

(in € million)

Consumer Sales by Region

(in %)

EBIT Consumer

excluding special factors (in € million)

Consumer Sales in Europe

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Consumer Sales in America

(in € million)

Consumer Sales in Africa/Asia/Australia

(in € million)