20 January 2005 – Paris (FRA): Bic has reported steady growth in Q4, with net sales of €341 million ($442 million), up 5.9 per cent on a comparative basis from €330 million recorded in the year ago quarter.
Stationery sales for the quarter were at €169.3 million, up 4.9 per cent on a comp basis from €161.5 million in 2003’s Q4.
For the full year, net sales were at €1.386 billion, an increase of 6 per cent on a comp basis from €1.360 billion in 2003. Stationery sales for the year were up 1.7 per cent to €722.4 million.
Chairman and CEO Bruce Bich said: "In stationery and shaver we recorded our highest sales increase of the year in Q4. In these two very competitive markets we continue to gain market share.
"We confirm that income from operations growth for 2004 will be higher than sales growth," he added.
