Cussons profits boosted by Carex demand

IMPERIAL Leather soap maker PZ Cussons today said half-year profits were 21 per cent higher after sales of anti-bacterial handwashes surged in the wake of swine flu fears.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jan 2010, 08:43 BST

The Manchester-based group said sales of its Carex range were significantly ahead of a year earlier amid greater consumer awareness of hand hygiene due to the outbreak last year.

Pre-tax profits improved to 44.7m in the half year to November 30 as the maker of Charles Worthington hair care products also benefited from new products developed at its 26m facility at Agecroft in Manchester.

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Cussons has also launched more price promotions to attract cash-conscious customers in the UK.

The firm trades in Nigeria and said overall profitability in the African country was ahead for the year despite a weakening of the Nigerian naira versus the US dollar, which affects results in sterling terms.

A tightening of banking controls in Nigeria also led to a temporary lack of liquidity in the market in the second quarter, which affected sales.

PZ Cussons' other major brands include Original Source and the Sanctuary spa range, which it acquired two years ago. Recent product launches have featured the Imperial Leather Skin Bliss range.

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