Solid first quarter performance at health and hygiene products giant

Hull-based health and hygiene group, Reckitt Benckiser, has recorded a strong first quarter in a trading update today.

It has reported net group revenues of £3.7bn, up 1.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis, which includes a core segments like-for-like rise of 3.1 per cent.

The group adds that its core net revenue growth was driven by Germ Protection products (plus 7.5 per cent) and Intimate Wellness products (plus 16.6 per cent), alongside improved market execution and market share gains.

Kris Licht, chief executive officer, said: “We delivered a solid first quarter driven by Core Reckitt with continued strong growth in Emerging Markets.

“We continue to execute against our strategy to make Reckitt a more efficient, world-class consumer health and hygiene company, driven by increased investment, innovation, and our Fuel for Growth programme.

“Our portfolio of high-growth, high-margin Powerbrands underpins our resilience, and we maintain our outlook for full year 2025 whilst recognising the more challenging macroeconomic outlook.”

Reckitt Benckiser says it is closely monitoring the evolving situation around global tariffs and the potential impacts on its supply chain and cost base.

In the second quarter, the group expects Core Reckitt growth to be led by Emerging Markets (mid-to-high single digit growth), with low-single digit growth in Europe and a low-single digit decline in North America.

Overall for 2025, Reckitt Benckiser says it is expecting group like-for-like net revenue growth of two to four per cent.