The Manchester-based consumer goods business said revenues totalled £541m for the year to the end of May
Carex is manufactured by Manchester-based PZ Cussons(Image: PZ Cussons)
Carex and Imperial Leather manufacturer PZ Cussons has reported a rise in sales and profits following cost-cutting measures and increased investment in marketing initiatives.
The Manchester-headquartered consumer goods company said turnover reached £541 million for the year ending May, up 5.8% on a like-for-like basis versus the prior year.
Revenue growth was fuelled primarily by pricing strategies, while sales volumes also climbed marginally.
In the UK, washing and bathing brands Carex, Imperial Leather, Original Source and Sanctuary Spa were propelling growth, especially after a strong Christmas gifting season.
It emphasised brand-building collaborations such as featuring The Gruffalo and Zog animated characters on Carex handwash, and Original Source bodywash sponsoring a London Hyrox event and teaming up with celebrity ambassador Spencer Matthews.
This helped counterbalance a drop in sales for smaller brands such as haircare range Charles Worthington and self-tanning label St Tropez.
PZ Cussons has said its marketing expenditure rose by £3.5 million during the year, representing its highest spend in recent years.
It has also tested live-streaming shopping in markets like Indonesia, while St Tropez was recently introduced on TikTok Shop in the UK.
Meanwhile, the firm said it had streamlined its portfolio over the past year to bolster its balance sheet and concentrate more sharply on its top-performing categories of personal, home and baby care. This encompassed divesting its stake in a Nigerian joint venture, offloading a number of assets across Africa and Asia, shutting its US offices, and closing the Childs Farm office in the UK following its integration into the wider business.
“We have also simplified or streamlined a number of business processes through the use of AI tools and data analytics,” the company said.
The cost-cutting measures helped drive PZ Cussons’s pre-tax profit up to £50 million, representing a 22% year-on-year increase.
Chief executive Jonathan Myers said: “We delivered a strong trading performance in FY26 (the 2026 financial year), with revenue growth across each of our four lead markets and each of our top 10 brands.
“At the same time, we completed our strategic review and established a refreshed strategy with a clearer financial framework and capital allocation policy.”
He described it as a “more focused and resilient business”, adding: “While there is plenty more to do, and we are mindful of macro-economic uncertainties, we are well placed to continue delivering sustainable growth.”
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