|
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FISCAL 2008 AS COMPARED WITH FISCAL 2007
NET SALES
Product Categories Makeup Makeup net sales increased 11%, or $287.7 million, to $3,000.4 million reflecting growth from our makeup artist brands of approximately $194 million. Also contributing to the growth were incremental sales from the launches of Estée Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick, Double Wear Zero Smudge Mascara and Eyeliner from Estée Lauder, Supermoisture Makeup and Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss from Clinique, as well as higher sales of Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup from Estée Lauder of approximately $97 million, combined. Partially offsetting these increases were lower sales of approximately $30 million of Pure Color Eyeshadow and High Gloss from Estée Lauder and Colour Surge Lipstick from Clinique. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, makeup net sales increased 7%. Fragrance Net sales of fragrance products increased 9%, or $123.4 million, to $1,432.0 million. The launches of Sean John Unforgivable Woman, Dreaming Tommy Hilfiger, Estée Lauder Pure White Linen Light Breeze, Estée Lauder pleasures delight and DKNY Delicious Night collectively contributed approximately $95 million to the growth in the category. Higher sales of approximately $62 million of DKNY Be Delicious, Jo Malone and Tom Ford fragrances also contributed to the increase. Lower sales of approximately $53 million of Tommy Girl by Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY Red Delicious Women and DKNY Be Delicious Men partially offset the growth in this product category. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, fragrance net sales increased 5%. Hair Care Hair care net sales increased 13%, or $50.0 million, to $427.1 million, primarily due to the inclusion of the Ojon brand which was acquired at the end of July 2007, as well as growth from Aveda and Bumble and bumble. Aveda net sales increases benefited from the launches of Smooth Infusion and Aveda Men Pure-Formance products, as well as the fiscal 2008 acquisition of an independent distributor. Bumble and bumble net sales benefited from new points of distribution and increases from its hotel amenities program, which concluded in the fiscal 2008 third quarter. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, hair care net sales increased 11%.
Geographic Regions All countries in Europe, the Middle East & Africa experienced net sales growth, which contributed to the increase in net sales of 21%, or $513.3 million, to $3,006.7 million, although net sales growth rates slowed in certain key countries. This growth was led by our travel retail business and the United Kingdom, as well as in Russia, which benefited from our expansion in this market. The results in this region were inclusive of an exchange rate benefit due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar of approximately $206 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa increased 12%. Net sales in Asia/Pacific increased 21%, or $209.4 million, to $1,192.6 million, reflecting growth from all countries in the region. This increase reflected higher net sales of approximately $172 million in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and Korea. The results in this region were inclusive of an exchange rate benefit due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar of approximately $66 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, Asia/Pacific net sales increased 15%. We strategically stagger our new product launches by geographic market, which may account for differences in regional sales growth.
|