Cussons says baby and mum ranges helping it to flourish

Imperial Leather soap owner PZ Cussons has seen a boost in business thanks to its growing baby and mother ranges, the company said.

The company’s Cussons Mum & Me range is set to be extended with a new range of products for young children, and hopes to launch its Australian baby food business internationally.

The Rafferty’s Garden baby-food business was snapped up by PZ Cussons earlier this year for £42.2 million as the company hopes to take a bigger slice of the $50 billion (£31 billion) babycare product market.

Updating shareholders ahead of its AGM today, the company said Imperial Leather was performing well in the four months to September 24, assisted by a rebranding.

Kate Moss also helped boost the business as she became a brand ambassador for its St Tropez tanning spray, the company claimed, although the update failed to provide any figures.

Cussons suffered from currency changes, especially in Indonesia and Australia, while it continued to feel an impact from its biggest African market, Nigeria, because of continued unrest in the north of the country. Nigeria accounts for 30%- 40% of the company’s total revenues, but unrest led to two profit warnings last year.

However, a new palm oil refinery — a joint venture with Wilmar — is increasing production levels on a monthly basis, while a new vegetable oil, Mamador, was also launched.

The Manchester-based company has also announced that non-executive director and serial board member Simon Heale will leave at the end of the year after six years on the board.