The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. 2009 Annual Report

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

FISCAL 2009 AS COMPARED WITH FISCAL 2008

NET SALES
Net sales decreased 7%, or $587.0 million, to $7,323.8 million, reflecting declines in each of our major product categories. Net sales decreases in Europe, the Middle East & Africa and the Americas reflected customer destocking in all of our major product categories. These declines were partially offset by growth in Asia/Pacific. Excluding the $389.4 million impact of foreign currency translation, net sales decreased 2%. The following discussions of Net Sales by Product Categories and Geographic Regions exclude the impact of returns associated with restructuring activities of $8.1 million incurred in fiscal 2009. We believe the following analysis of net sales better reflects the manner in which we conduct and view our business.

Product Categories
Skin Care Net sales of skin care products decreased 4%, or $110.8 million, to $2,886.0 million, primarily reflecting declines in net sales from our heritage brands. Despite the difficult economic environment and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, we continued to enhance select product lines to address the needs of our consumers. The recent launches of Perfectionist [CP+] Wrinkle Lifting Serum and the new Time Zone line of moisturizing products from Estée Lauder and Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer and Youth Surge SPF 15 Age Decelerating Moisturizer from Clinique contributed incremental sales of approximately $181 million, combined. While these new product launches contributed favorably to the category, they were partially offset by lower sales from other existing products in the Perfectionist, Idealist and Re-Nutriv lines from Estée Lauder and the Superdefense and Repairwear lines from Clinique of approximately $163 million, combined. Net sales of most other product lines in this category also experienced declines, particularly in Europe, the Middle East & Africa and the Americas, partially offset by double-digit growth in Asia/Pacific. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, skin care net sales increased 2%.

Makeup Makeup net sales decreased 6%, or $169.5 million, to $2,830.9 million, primarily reflecting lower net sales from our heritage brands of approximately $162 million. Lower net sales in the makeup product category also reflected a net decrease from our makeup artist brands of approximately $14 million, driven by the Americas region, partially offset by additional points of distribution internationally. These declines were mitigated in part by recent product launches of reformulated Superfit Makeup and High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15 from Clinique, as well as Estée Lauder Signature Blush, which contributed incremental sales to the category of approximately $82 million, combined. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, makeup net sales decreased 1%.

Fragrance Net sales of fragrance products decreased 20%, or $281.1 million, to $1,150.9 million. This decline was largely due to lower sales of designer fragrances, of which approximately $181 million was attributable to certain DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Sean John fragrances. Also contributing to the decrease were lower sales of certain Estée Lauder and Clinique fragrances of approximately $132 million, combined. The recent launches of Estée Lauder Sensuous, Hilfiger Men, the new DKNY Men fragrance and I Am King Sean John partially offset these declines by collectively contributing sales of approximately $88 million to the category. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, fragrance net sales decreased 14%.

Hair Care Hair care net sales decreased 6%, or $24.7 million, to $402.4 million, primarily reflecting a soft salon retail environment and a reduction in points of distribution in the United States. Net sales were also negatively impacted as a result of the conclusion of a hotel amenities program in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. These declines were partially offset by incremental sales of approximately $13 million from new products, such as Dry Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner and the Sun Care line of products from Aveda. The category also benefited from improved sales of hair color products, as well as an increase in points of distribution outside of the United States, including the acquisition of an independent distributor in Australia. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, hair care net sales decreased 3%.

Geographic Regions
Net sales in the Americas decreased 8%, or $290.3 million, to $3,421.2 million. Lower net sales in the United States from our heritage and makeup artist brands as well as our hair care businesses contributed approximately $275 million to the decrease. Net sales declines in Canada of approximately $36 million were partially offset by growth in Latin America of approximately $3 million. Net sales in these markets reflected the adverse impact of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Economic conditions in the Americas region, particularly in the department store channel, have negatively impacted our businesses. Ongoing challenges faced by certain of our department store customers in the United States may continue to affect our net sales for the short and medium term. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales in the Americas decreased 7%.

In Europe, the Middle East & Africa, net sales decreased 13%, or $395.4 million, to $2,611.3 million, primarily reflecting the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation. Net sales decreases of approximately $323 million were driven by the United Kingdom, our travel retail business, Spain, France and Italy. These performances reflected retailer destocking and tighter working capital management by certain key retailers. Net sales in our travel retail business also declined due to a significant slowdown in passenger traffic and the impact of weaker currencies in certain key markets. Partially offsetting these decreases were higher net sales of approximately $11 million in the Middle East and Israel. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, net sales in Europe, the Middle East & Africa decreased 4%.

Net sales in Asia/Pacific increased 9%, or $106.8 million, to $1,299.4 million, reflecting higher net sales of approximately $109 million in China, Japan and Hong Kong. Net sales growth in China and Hong Kong benefi ted from the launches of new skin care products while Japan's increase was generated from the strengthening of the Japanese yen. Partially offsetting these increases were lower net sales of approximately $13 million in Australia, New Zealand and Korea, reflecting the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against their respective local currencies. Despite the overall net sales increase in this region, growth has been tempered by a softer retail environment. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, Asia/Pacific net sales increased 14%.

We believe the unfavorable global economic conditions will continue to adversely impact our financial performance. We cannot predict with certainty the magnitude or duration of the impact or how it will vary across each of our geographic regions.

We strategically stagger our new product launches by geographic market, which may account for differences in regional sales growth.