Nestlé reports nine-month sales for 2021, raises full-year organic sales growth guidance:
- Organic growth reached 7.6%, with real internal growth (RIG) of 6.0% and pricing of 1.6%. Growth was supported by continued momentum in retail sales, steady recovery of out-of-home channels, increased pricing and market share gains.
- Total reported sales increased by 2.2% to CHF 63.3 billion (9M-2020: CHF 61.9 billion). Foreign exchange reduced sales by 2.0%. Net divestitures reduced sales by 3.3%.
- Continued progress in portfolio management. On August 9, 2021, Nestlé completed the acquisition of the core brands of The Bountiful Company.
- Full-year guidance for 2021 updated: we expect full-year organic sales growth between 6% and 7%. The underlying trading operating profit margin is expected around 17.5%, reflecting initial time delays between input cost inflation and pricing, as well as the one-off integration costs related to the acquisition of The Bountiful Company’s core brands. Beyond 2021, our mid-term outlook for continued moderate margin improvement remains unchanged. Underlying earnings per share in constant currency and capital efficiency are expected to increase this year.
Mark Schneider, Nestlé CEO, commented: “We are pleased with Nestlé’s strong organic growth in the nine months, driven by broad-based contributions from most geographies and categories. The relentless focus of our teams on local execution and agility enabled us to navigate input cost inflation and supply chain constraints. In the third quarter, we increased pricing in a responsible manner, while maintaining strong real internal growth. Investments in innovation, digitalization and sustainability further supported growth by enhancing the relevance and differentiation of our offerings.
Nestlé continues to take actions on sustainability. We recently laid out our plans to support a just transition to regenerative food systems, which will help achieve our climate targets as we work closely with farming communities around the world to improve soil health, restore water cycles and increase biodiversity for the long-term.”
Group Sales
Organic growth reached 7.6%, with RIG of 6.0%. Pricing increased to 1.6%, accelerating to 2.1% in the third quarter.
Growth was broad-based across most geographies and categories. Organic growth reached 7.1% in developed markets, based mostly on RIG with positive pricing. Organic growth in emerging markets was 8.3%, with robust RIG and positive pricing.
By product category, the largest contributor to organic growth was coffee, fueled by strong momentum for the three main brands Nescafé, Nespresso and Starbucks. Starbucks products posted 15.5% growth, with sales reaching CHF 2.2 billion across 79 markets. Purina PetCare saw double-digit growth, led by science-based and premium brands Purina Pro Plan, Fancy Feast and Purina ONE, as well as veterinary products. Prepared dishes and cooking aids posted high single-digit growth, based on strong sales developments for Maggi, Stouffer’s and Lean Cuisine. Vegetarian and plant-based food offerings saw double-digit growth, with continued expansion of the product range, led by Garden Gourmet. Dairy reported mid single-digit growth, based on sustained demand for fortified milks, coffee creamers and ice cream. Confectionery recorded high single-digit growth, supported by a strong sales development for KitKat. Sales in Nestlé Health Science grew at a double-digit rate, reflecting strong demand for consumer care products particularly vitamins, minerals and supplements. Infant Nutrition posted negative growth, impacted by lower birth rates globally in the context of the pandemic and a sales decline in China. In the third quarter, growth in Infant Nutrition was positive outside of China. Water reported mid single-digit growth, with strong demand in North America and emerging markets in the third quarter.
By channel, organic growth in retail sales was 6.6%. E-commerce sales grew by 17.2%, reaching 14.1% of total Group sales, with strong momentum in most categories, particularly coffee, Purina PetCare and culinary. Organic growth in out-of-home channels was 22.8%, helped by the further easing of movement restrictions in some geographies.
Net divestitures decreased sales by 3.3%, largely related to the Nestlé Waters North America, Yinlu and Herta transactions. Divestitures were partially offset by acquisitions, including Freshly and the core brands of The Bountiful Company. The negative impact on sales from foreign exchange moderated to 2.0%. Total reported sales increased by 2.2% to CHF 63.3 billion.
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Roshini Bains,
Editor, International Confectionery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: editor@in-confectionery.com
