Innocent BenjaminBritish multinational consumer goods company, Reckitt Benckiser on Wednesday reported a 11.8 percent surge in revenue to £14 billion for 2020, the highest ever revenue return since the company was formed via a merger in 1999.
This record sales was buoyed by a high demand from people desperate to maintain good hygiene following the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, with antiseptic brand Dettol and disinfectant, Lysol, championing the sales.
The sales reported, was a significant increase from 2019’s revenue of £12.846 billion.
Producers of several leading brands such as durex condoms, Strepsils, Gaviscon, Veet, Airbone, Vanish and so on, Reckitt Benckiser saw a 20 percent growth in hygiene products with “very strong Dettol growth in all major markets,” according to CEO, Laxman Narasimhan.
The firm had capitalized on the high demand for hygiene products by diversifying into 41 new markets in the year as Narasimhan remarked that RB are “proving we are a good house in a great neighbourhood.”
He added:
“In 2020 we successfully navigated unchartered waters. I am immensely grateful to colleagues, customers and partners who helped us respond to the challenges of Covid-19, stepping-up production and improving execution, while staying safe. Our purpose, to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world is more relevant than ever.
“We have made a strong start to implementing our new strategy and proved that we can adapt and successfully respond to rapidly changing market conditions. Our portfolio is clearly resilient – with or without Covid-19 – and we are building a stronger business for the future.
“Our category-leading germ protection/disinfection brands have all seen substantial market growth, with around 80 per cent of our consumers expecting to retain many of their new improved habits post pandemic.
“We capitalised on these new behaviours with Dettol and Lysol entering 41 markets, with plans to enter a further 29 markets in 2021.
“We are taking steps to lock in the significant product penetration and market share gains already achieved by our market leading brands, Finish, Gaviscon and Durex, as well as the strong performance of our nutrition brands in the Americas.”
The CEO however expressed pessimism that the record figures of the previous year will be replicated as he realistically expected a flat or slight increase in the revenue charts for 2021.
“2020 was a turning point for RB. Our performance is strong, we are building capability, actively managing our portfolio and transforming our culture. We expect 2021 to be a year of further strategic progress and we remain confident that we will meet our medium-term targets.”
MILESTONE YEAR
2020 was more than a profitable year for Reckitt Benckiser as they also sealed major partnership with big firms that have spilled into the new decade.
The biggest of which was its partnership with Africa’s biggest E-commerce platform, Jumia, to provide customers RB products at the lowest price, as the retail chain agreed to take zero commission.
Few weeks into 2021, Dettol partnered online rental booking platform Airbnb, to provide cleaning kits for visitors which will be available in the UK, US, Australia India, Brazil and several other countries.
Last week, Dettol partnered with British Airways to offer its products on planes and in airports. British Airways now have a Dettol hand santization station at Heathrow Terminal 5 check-in desks, self-service bag drops, lounges and departure gates, with customers to be given a pack containing Dettol antibacterial hygiene wipe.
On Wednesday, they sealed a partnership with England’s Football Association as the “official hygiene partner of the England men’s and women’s senior teams, Wembley Stadium connected by EE, the wider grassroots game and St George’s Park,” according to their official website.
James steller
