Sales strong at Reckitt

DUREX and Air Wick manufacturer Reckitt said it expects sales to be at the top end of market expectations but warned that the cost of production continues to soar.

The company said firstquarter sales on a like-forlike basis were up 5.6pc. Sales in the hygiene division fell 9pc, but the health division, which includes Lemsip, Strepsils and its condoms range, rose 20.6pc, and nutrition growth was 20.4pc.

Boss Laxman Narasimhan said it had been a strong start but added: ‘As we look to the balance of the year, the operating environment remains highly unpredictable.’