Sales grow 2% in health and beauty sector in August

The health and beauty industry presented a slight sales recovery in July and August, according to Abihpec (Brazilian Association of the industry of personal hygiene, perfumery and cosmetics). After a difficult first half, it is already possible to predict annual sales close near the stability, modest performance compared to high double digits in the last decade, but that brings optimism to fall 8% real in 2015.
In August, the sector recorded real growth of 2%, according to preliminary report. Monthly, Abihpec asks its members to report if the results have been in line, above or below the schedule.
The thud more intense occurred in the first and second quarters. From July the first signs of improvement. "The signs are favorable for the reaction of economic activity. Our industry is one of the last to enter the crisis and one of the first to leave, "says Joao Carlos Basilio, President of Abihpec.
The Chemical Garden, which provides inputs for the brands of personal care and cosmetics, registered the first month of sales recovery in August after contracting in July and a difficult first half, in which he had to reduce the margin at 5%, due to discounts to its customers, such as Avon, Davene and Inoar. The optimism is coming back a little bit, before the political landscape more clearly, says founder Bernice Freire. The company estimates sales growth of 49% this year, to R$ 46,000,000, pulled into the expansion of the customer base.
"Finish the year at zero to zero means a good recovery, but the weather is still that everything to be done. There''s nothing concrete that shows a new scenario ", ponders Basil. "We have to understand that the fiscal deficit is huge and we were cruelly penalized VAT increases in 14 States, so we are still cautious," concludes.