Reckitt opts to split business units as group sales dry up

Consumer goods company Reckitt Benckiser has decided to split its business into two units after warning there would be no growth in sales this year.

The new divisions are consumer healthcare and home and hygiene products.

The maker of a wide range of branded products including Dettol, Cillit Bang, Harpic and Durex is on track for uncharacteristically poor results this year and has blamed slowing markets, changing consumer habits, a cyber attack, a failed product launch and a safety scandal in South Korea.