Kate Moss and innovation boost PZ Cussons

PZ CUSSONS, the North West international consumer products group, says its summer trading performance has been positive thanks to innovation and investment in its brands.

The company, best known for its Imperial Leather, Original Source, Carex, St Tropez and Sanctuary Spa brands, said in a pre-AGM update covering the period June 1 to September 24, that it had overcome “challenging” conditions in most markets through brand renovation and innovation.

In its home market PZ Cussons said trading in the washing and bathing division was “robust” with new product launches proving successful.

During the quarter, Imperial Leather was relaunched with new imagery including a new fragrance selection across its premium Foamburst shower range. The Cussons Mum & Me range of products for mothers and babies has been extended too.

In the beauty division all four brands performed well with St Tropez being boosted by the appointment of supermodel Kate Moss as brand ambassador at the start of the summer.

The market was strong in Poland, but the weakening of the Indonesian currency has hit generally positive results in Asia. A similar situation exists in Australia.

The newly-acquired Rafferty’s Garden, the Australian baby food business purchased in early July, is performing well and plans for international expansion of the brand are being drawn up. Africa, a key market for the group, continues to show “positive growth momentum” despite unrest in the north.

PZ Cussons added: “Margin improvement projects also continue in all markets whilst raw material costs remain broadly flat.”