At its meeting today, the Executive Board of Beiersdorf Aktiengesellschaft, Hamburg, passed a resolution with the approval of the Supervisory Board to increase investments under the C.A.R.E.+ strategy. Over the next five years, an additional €300 million will be invested in sustainability, digitalization and growth markets.
Against this background, in fiscal year 2021 the Consumer business segment is expected to achieve an operating EBIT margin (before extraordinary effects) at prior year’s level (2020: 12.3%) and positive sales growth. Given the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in large parts of the world, particularly in Europe and the growth markets, a reliable forecast for fiscal year 2021 is difficult. With respect to the post-COVID-19 period, the Executive Board assumes that the EBIT margin in the Consumer business segment will grow ahead of sales, including significant investments in the strategic C.A.R.E.+ priorities.
The operating EBIT margin (before extraordinary effects) in the tesa business segment in fiscal year 2021 is expected to be down on the previous year despite positive sales growth, also due to significant investments in the strategic focus areas (digitalization, growth, sustainability). On this basis, the Executive Board projects positive sales growth and an operating EBIT margin (before extraordinary effects) at the prior year’s level for the Group.
In fiscal year 2020, an operating EBIT margin (before extraordinary effects) of 12.3% (sales: –6.6%), was achieved in the Consumer business segment, 15.4% (sales: –1.5%) in the tesa business segment and 12.9% (sales: –5.7%) for the Group.