Asia growth boosts L’Occitane profits

Paris: L’Occitane, a French maker of skincare products, perfumes and soaps, said fiscal first-half profit grew 19% as consumers in Japan and other Asian nations boosted spending on personal care.

Net income for the six months ended September rose to €29.8 million, or €0.021 a share, from €25.1m, or 2 cents, a year earlier, the company said in a filing to Hong Kong’s stock exchange.

Sales rose 28% to €331.2m.