The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

L’Oreal logs robust 4Q11 growth in emerging markets:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204795304577221224149148182.html

Cosmetics sales in booming emerging markets such as Brazil and China are offsetting L'Oréal SA's slumping growth in Europe, the cosmetics giant said Monday, as it reported an 8.9% rise in profit.

…Like many consumer goods companies, L'Oréal has placed its bets on the rising middle classes in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Many of the billions of potential new consumers are being exposed to Western brands for the first time, and L'Oréal is in a race with competitors such as Procter & Gamble Inc. and Unilever to tap into their wallets.