For the quarter, net sales in the personal care segment increased approximately 23 percent due, thanks to the inclusion of American Safety Razor (ASR) and favorable currencies.
Organic sales growth was approximately 5 percent for the quarter, in comparison to the prior year quarter, which included the initial pipeline build for the North America Schick Hydro launch.
Wet Shave segment driving gains
Ward Klein, CEO, commented: "We are pleased with the substantial growth within our Personal Care segment, including our wet shave and Skin Care businesses. We continue to be excited about the Schick Hydro global new product launch and are seeing significant trial and consumer satisfaction with the Hydro world class shave experience.”
“This major new product introduction, combined with our recent acquisition of American Safety Razor, contributed to the substantial growth of our wet shave business," he added.
According to the company, the net sales growth in the third quarter was driven primarily by Skin Care net sales increasing 20 percent with thanks to the timing of sun care shipments, and net sales in the Wet Shave category increasing 31 percent including the impact of ASR.
Acquisition having positive influence
ASR was bought by Energizer last year for $301m on the premise that it would boost the company’s wet shave business.
Last year Energizer’s growth in the Personal Care segment was attributed to strong results in the Wet Shave category, a trend that appears to have continued this year.
Net sales for the nine months showed a similar pattern as the third quarter and was up approximately 19 percent, thanks to net sales in Wet Shave increasing 29 percent and Skin Care up 10 percent, a figure helped by a poor previous year.
In comparison with the rest of the business, sales increased slightly but nowhere near as fast as the Personal Care segment. The Household segment contributes the most to the business and registered negative growth figures for the current quarter.