On account of the substantial increase in net sales and earnings for the first quarter of 2020 compared with the corresponding period a year ago, Essity has published its preliminary results for the first quarter of 2020. The strong development is partially a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group’s net sales increased 10% and amounted to SEK 33.712 billion ($3.8 billion) and organic net sales increased 7.8% in the first quarter of 2020 compared with the corresponding period a year ago. 

For Personal Care, organic net sales increased 8.8% in the first quarter of 2020 compared with the first quarter of 2019. For Consumer Tissue, organic net sales increased 4.3% in the first quarter of 2020 compared with the first quarter of 2019. For Professional Hygiene, organic net sales increased 12.2% in the first quarter of 2020 compared with the first quarter of 2019. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a sharp increase in sales in many markets for Consumer Tissue, Incontinence Products, Baby Care, Feminine Care and Professional Hygiene as a result of hoarding among consumers and distributors. In March 2020, organic net sales for the group increased 19.7% compared with March 2019. Organic net sales for Personal Care rose by 17%, for Consumer Tissue by 19.5% and for Professional Hygiene by 24.5%. Sales in future quarters may be adversely impacted by the hoarding seen in March and sales in Professional Hygiene may also be negatively impacted by reduced travel, fewer restaurant visits and more people working from home. In the long-term, the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to increased demand for hygiene and health products due to, for example, a greater focus on hand hygiene.

All figures presented in this press release are preliminary and unaudited.

Essity will not make any comments until the report for the first quarter of 2020 has been published on April 23, 2020, at about 7:00 CET.