Inter Parfums, Inc. announced its 2012 net sales rose 6.3% to a record $654.1 million, ahead of previous guidance of $632 million due to better than expected fourth quarter sales. At comparable foreign currency exchange rates, 2012 net sales increased 9.4%.
Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 were approximately $176.9 million, a 6.4% decrease from $189.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, a period of unprecedented product launches. At comparable foreign currency exchange rates, fourth quarter net sales declined 7.7%.
For the fourth quarter 2012 in Europe, sales ended at $152.4 million, a 10.% drop from the same time period in 2011 ($169.9 million). However, for the 2012 year, European-based product sales for Inter Parfums was at %571.8 million, a 3.5% jump from 2011’s $552.4 million. Meanwhile, U.S.-based sales for the fourth quarter 2012 were $24.5 million, up 25.9% from the same time period in 2011 ($19.5 million), and full year 2012 product sales for the U.S. were $82.3 million, a 31.1% leap from 2011’s $62.8 million.
Discussing European-based operations Jean Madar, Chairman and CEO of Inter Parfums, noted, “Several of the major ongoing brands in our portfolio performed exceptionally well in the fourth quarter and for the full year, primarily due to sales momentum within existing lines. 2012 Lanvin sales ran 5% ahead of 2011 thanks to the endurance of Eclat d’Arpège, with sales continuing to grow ten years after the fragrance was introduced. The increase in Lanvin brand sales also reflected the launch of the Jeanne Lanvin Couture line. Montblanc sales have been impressive with brand sales up 51% for the full year, owing to the extraordinary appeal of the men’s line, Legend. Introduced in 2011, Legend is now our best-selling men’s fragrance across all prestige brands in our portfolio. The Jimmy Choo signature fragrance line has also done extremely well achieving 36% full year sales growth over the scent’s debut year.”
Madar continued, “For 2012, Burberry fragrance sales were up 6% with double-digit growth by the brand’s historic lines and the continuing success of the Burberry Body line, although impacted by lower sales from the Burberry Sport line. S.T. Dupont fragrance sales rose 5%, and Boucheron has become a meaningful contributor in 2012 with the gradual re-release of the brand’s fragrance collections along with our first initiative, Jaipur Bracelet.”
Discussing prestige sales by region, Madar noted, “Top line growth has been especially strong in North America as 2012 sales were 29% ahead of 2011 thanks in great part to the performance of Jimmy Choo and Montblanc fragrances. Our sales in Western Europe were up 5% despite reduced consumer spending in selected countries. Growth continued in the Middle East, spurred by Saudi Arabia, resulting in a more than 17% increase in sales. Russia drove sales in Eastern Europe producing a 10% improvement in this region. Asia, and China in particular, showed continued momentum with year-over-year sales growth of nearly 12%.”
On the subject of U.S.-based operations, Madar went on to say, “The inclusion of Anna Sui fragrances in 2012 drove the 31% sales increase. International distribution of U.S. specialty retail brands, and several fragrance launches for namesake stores also factored into the top line growth. Additionally, in the final months of 2012, we began to ship Lanvin travel amenities to Sofitel Hotels.”
As previously reported, the $239 million exit payment for the Burberry license agreement was received on December 21, 2012. As a result, Inter Parfums expects to report a pre-tax gain on termination of license in excess of $200 million in its 2012 consolidated income statement. The tax on the gain of approximately 36% is expected to be paid on April 15, 2013.
Russell Greenberg, executive vice president and CFO, stated, “Based upon sales achieved in 2012 and excluding the effect of the termination of the Burberry license, we expect to beat our current 2012 guidance of approximately $35.9 million or $1.17 per diluted share in net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc.”
He continued, “With strong sales momentum continuing into 2013, plus the addition of Alfred Dunhill fragrances in the spring, we are increasing our guidance for the year to approximately $480 million in net sales resulting in net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. in range of $0.90 to $0.92 per diluted share. As was the case with our previous guidance of net sales of approximately $460 million and $0.86 per diluted share attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc., the new guidance factors in the impact of the transition agreement with Burberry through March 31, 2013, as well as the introduction of new scents for Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Repetto, Anna Sui and bebe. Guidance assumes the dollar remains at current levels.”
