BIC reported 1.0% organic growth through September even as its sales fell 2.5% on a reported basis, with currency and business-scope changes widening the gap, the French consumer-goods group said Oct. 28.
Sales for the first nine months totaled €1.556 billion, compared with €1.595 billion in the same period of 2025. BIC listed negative impacts of 2.6% from changes in business scope and 0.9% from foreign exchange. The company calculates organic growth with currency and business scope held constant.
The third quarter brought €516 million in sales, down from €519 million a year earlier. Sales declined 0.5% on a reported basis and 0.6% organically.
Blade Excellence, BIC's shaver and brush division, was the only one of its three business lines to post organic growth for the quarter. It recorded €155 million in sales, up 3.9% organically. Human Expression, the stationery business, had €183 million in sales, down 1.1% organically. Flame for Life, which includes lighters, recorded €170 million in sales, down 4.6% organically.
Tangle Teezer grew 29% organically, with North America and Europe driving growth, BIC said. The brand was the main contributor to Blade Excellence's increase.
BIC said some U.S. back-to-school stationery orders shipped in the second quarter rather than the third, and cited continued weakness in ball pens. For North American lighters, it pointed to an unfavorable comparison with retailer purchases made ahead of a September 2025 price increase.
Chief Executive Rob Versloot said the quarter reflected “contrasting dynamics across our categories.” BIC reaffirmed its 2026 outlook for modest organic growth, an adjusted EBIT margin slightly above 14% and free cash flow stable year over year.
The detailed segment breakdown builds on EconoTimes' earlier report on BIC's quarterly sales, which covered the nine-month figures and outlook. BIC's calendar lists Feb. 24, 2027, for full-year results and April 28, 2027, for first-quarter sales; both dates are subject to confirmation.
