L’Oréal has announced a robust start to 2025, with first-quarter sales reaching €11.73 billion. This marks a 4.4% increase on a reported basis and a 3.5% rise like-for-like, aligning with the company’s projections and reflecting resilience in a complex global market.
Professional Products Division: Steady Growth
The Professional Products Division experienced a 1.6% like-for-like growth, amounting to €1.28 billion in sales. This performance was bolstered by strong demand for premium haircare products, with notable contributions from brands like Kérastase and L’Oréal Professionnel. Innovations such as Kérastase’s Gloss Absolu and L’Oréal Professionnel’s Metal Detox played a significant role in driving this growth.
Regional Highlights: Europe and Emerging Markets Lead
Europe emerged as the top-performing region, with a 4.3% like-for-like sales increase. Countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK, and Ireland contributed significantly to this growth. Emerging markets, particularly the SAPMENA-SSA region (South Asia Pacific, Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa), showcased dynamic performance with a 10.4% increase. Latin America also reported a 7.9% rise, led by strong sales in Brazil.
Challenges in North America; Recovery in Asia
North America faced a 3.8% decline in sales, attributed to consumer uncertainty stemming from tariff issues. Conversely, Asia showed signs of recovery, with a 6.9% increase in sales. Japan and Korea benefited from strong tourist activity, while mainland China exhibited slight improvement, though travel retail remained weak.
CEO’s Outlook: Confidence Amid Uncertainty
CEO Nicolas Hieronimus acknowledged the mixed regional performances, stating, “The US was more challenging than anticipated, while China was slightly better than expected. Europe was, once again, our single largest growth contributor, and emerging markets remained dynamic.” He emphasized the company’s commitment to managing profitability amid economic strains, including the effects of tariffs.
L’Oréal’s Q1 2025 results underscore the company’s ability to navigate a volatile market, with strong performances in key regions and product categories. The Professional Products Division’s steady growth, driven by innovation and premium offerings, highlights the brand’s continued relevance in the professional haircare industry.
