The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. 2009 Annual Report

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(continued)

For the year ended June 30, 2009, aggregate restructuring charges of $70.3 million were recorded in our consolidated statements of earnings related to the Program. These charges primarily reflected employee-related costs, asset write-offs, contract terminations and other exit costs.

The following table presents the restructuring activity as of and for the year ended June 30, 2009 under the Program:

Accrued restructuring charges at June 30, 2009 are expected to result in cash expenditures funded from cash provided by operations of approximately $48 million, $6 million and $1 million in fiscal 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

The total amount of restructuring charges incurred plus other initiatives approved through June 30, 2009, include approximately $75 million for employee-related costs, approximately $6 million in asset write-offs and approximately $8 million of contract terminations and other exit costs.

We incurred other special charges in connection with the implementation of the Program for the year ended June 30, 2009 of $10.1 million related to consulting, other professional services, and accelerated depreciation. The total amount of other special charges expected to be incurred to implement these initiatives, including those incurred through June 30, 2009, is approximately $36 million. In addition to the other special charges, we recorded $8.1 million reflecting sales returns (less a related cost of sales of $1.2 million) and a write-off of inventory associated with exiting unprofitable operations of $8.0 million.

During the year ended June 30, 2009, we recorded a gain of $3.6 million related to excess accruals that were recorded as other special charges in prior years.

Total charges associated with restructuring activities included in operating income for the year ended June 30, 2009 were $91.7 million.

While our business strategies are designed to strengthen the Company over the long-term, we believe the uncertainty about future market conditions, consumer spending patterns and the financial strength of some of our retail customers, coupled with retailer destocking and tighter working capital management, will continue to negatively affect our net sales and operating results. In line with our strategic plan, we will continue to seek ways to contain costs and reduce our inventory levels.

We manufacture, market and sell beauty products including those in the skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care categories which are distributed in over 140 countries and territories. The following table is a comparative summary of operating results from continuing operations for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 and reflects the basis of presentation described in Note 2 and Note 20 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for all periods presented. Products and services that do not meet our definition of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care have been included in the "other" category.

The following table presents certain consolidated earnings data as a percentage of net sales:

In order to meet the demands of consumers, we continually introduce new products, support new and established products through advertising, sampling and merchandising and phase out existing products that no longer meet the needs of our consumers. The economics of developing, producing, launching and supporting products influence our sales and operating performance each period. The introduction of new products may have some cannibalizing effect on sales of existing products, which we take into account in our business planning.