L'Oreal(US:LRLCY) Zheng Quan Zhi Xing·2025-04-25 09:58Core Insights - L'Oréal reported Q1 2025 sales of €11.73 billion, a 4.4% year-on-year increase, marking the lowest growth rate in five years [1][2] - The "Dermatological Beauty" segment, which had previously shown strong performance, experienced a significant slowdown in growth during this quarter [1][4] Sales Performance - The sales figures for the past five years indicate a consistent increase in Q1 sales, but the growth rate has been declining, with 2025 showing the lowest increase of 4.4% compared to previous years [2] - The breakdown of sales by segment shows: - Mass Cosmetics: €4.279 billion, up 2.5% [3] - Premium Cosmetics: €4.093 billion, up 7.3% [3] - Professional Hair Products: €1.277 billion, up 2.7% [3] - Dermatological Beauty: €2.086 billion, up 3.5% [3] Regional Performance - The European market was a highlight for L'Oréal, with sales reaching €3.915 billion, a 4.9% increase [6] - North America faced a decline, with sales of €2.973 billion, down 1.4% [6] - North Asia showed recovery with sales of €2.953 billion, up 8.4%, despite previous declines [7] Market Challenges - The Chinese market has been a focal point, with L'Oréal experiencing its first negative growth in a decade in 2024, impacting overall performance [2][7] - The rise of domestic brands among Gen Z consumers poses a challenge to L'Oréal's market share, as evidenced by the strong performance of local brand Pechoin [8] - Recent reports indicate significant layoffs in the travel retail department, with claims of up to 50% workforce reduction, reflecting the need for strategic adjustments in response to market changes [9]