Colgate-Palmolive Co.’s first-quarter North American sales grew 9% to $827m following the acquisition of professional skin care brands PCA Skin and EltaMD and on strong sales of Colgate Optic White Stain Fighter, Colgate Sensitive Smart White and Tom’s of Maine toothpastes. Volume sales in the region, which represents 21% of the firm's total revenues, increased 9%, with the skin care brands acquired in late 2017 contributing 3.5%, Colgate reported April 27. (Also see "Colgate Enters Pro Skin-Care Market With PCA Skin, EltaMD Buys" - HBW Insight, 18 December, 2017.) Sales were flat in Latin America, which accounts for 23% of sales, at $929m, up 0.5%, while sales in Europe, 16% of its business, got a 14.5% foreign exchange boost for 165% growth to $648m and reported sales in Asia Pacific, 19% of sales, grew 5.5% to $759m. Colgate’s net income for the January-March period was $634m, up 11.2% from the year-ago period but net sales up 6.5% to $4bn, with organic sales up 1.5%, were short of analysts’ consensus target of $4.02bn. “Despite concerns surrounding the competitive landscape – particularly related to industry pricing power as other branded operators, smaller, niche foes, and lower-priced private-label fare are all vying for share – we posit that Colgate is proactively taking steps to ensure its competitive edge proves unwavering,” said Morningstar analyst Erin Lash in a same-day note. Those steps include cost-cutting, she notes. Colgate launched a restructuring plan in 2012 aimed at saving $500m-$575m by 2019. (Also see "Colgate Pricing Higher, Top Seller Distribution Wider, Slow SKUs Fewer" - HBW Insight, 28 February, 2018.)
Brush Buddies PEZ Poppin’ toothbrush collection features the look of a PEZ dispenser but with a toothbrush accessed by a “poppin’ action” at the push of a button, says Ashtel Studios Inc., which designed and markets the toothbrush. The firm on April 25 said the line comprises characters Peppa Pig, PEZ Emoji character and Thomas & Friends. “This classic brand has brought joy to countless children all over the world,” the firm says
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