Oriflame’s (ORI—Stockholm) first-quarter sales rose 10 percent in local currency and dipped 1 percent in euros to €305.8 million*, from €307.8 million a year ago, the Swedish cosmetics maker said Wednesday.
The results reflect a 19 percent increase in productivity among Oriflame consultants, countered by a 9 percent decrease in total consultants, management said. The skincare and wellness categories logged the strongest performance in the quarter.
On a regional basis, Asia and Turkey posted the largest gain, with local currency sales up 31 percent. Latin America revenue rose 13 percent, while Europe and Africa edged up 2 percent in local currency. CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) revenue stabilized, reversing a negative sales trend that followed economic and political uncertainty in the region.
The Switzerland-based company cleared a profit of €10.7 million, or 19 cents a share, compared to €11.2 million, or 20 cents a share, in the first quarter of 2015. Operating profit was €21.1 million versus the year-ago €17.2 million.
On average, analysts polled by Reuters had predicted operating profit at €21.1 million and net sales at €293 million.
“The underlying business and financial performance is encouraging, although we continue to be heavily impacted by persistent currency headwinds and deteriorating macro across many of our regions,” said CEO Magnus Brännström. “Efficiency initiatives are ongoing and are delivering desired results.”
The company also said it is still seeking a reason for local authority visits to its offices in Moscow, which took place in April, and remains fully transparent to the authorities.
Following its annual shareholder meeting on May 17, Oriflame announced a dividend of 40 cents a share, to be paid out in two installments set for November 2016 and February 2017.
*At the time of this writing, €1.00 was equal to $1.12.
