Estee Lauder (EL) to Cut 3-5% Staff as Part of Profit Recovery Plan
Today, Estee Lauder (NYSE: EL) announced it is further expanding its Profit Recovery Plan for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to include a restructuring program. The now-larger overall plan is focused on rebuilding stronger, more sustainable profitability, supporting sales growth acceleration and increasing speed and agility. The plan is designed to improve gross margin, lower the cost base and reduce overhead expenses, while increasing investments in key consumer-facing activities. Upon completion of this plan, the Company expects to have improved its gross margin and expense base to drive greater operating leverage for the future.
The restructuring program will begin during the Company’s fiscal 2024 third quarter. Specific initiatives under this restructuring program are expected to be substantially completed by the end of fiscal 2026. The restructuring program’s main focus includes the reorganization and rightsizing of certain areas of the Company as well as simplification and acceleration of processes.
In connection with the restructuring program, at this time the Company estimates a net reduction in the range of approximately 3-5% of its positions as of June 30, 2023. This reduction takes into account the elimination of some positions as well as retraining and redeployment of certain employees in select areas.
Once fully implemented, the Company expects to take restructuring and other charges of between $500 million and $700 million, before taxes, consisting of employee-related costs, contract terminations, asset write-offs and other costs associated with implementing these initiatives. The program is expected to yield annual gross benefits of between $350 million and $500 million, before taxes, of which a portion is expected to be reinvested in consumer facing areas to drive sustainable, profitable growth. The Company now expects to drive incremental operating profit through the initiatives in the Profit Recovery Plan of $1.1 billion to $1.4 billion, including net benefits from the restructuring program. This is an increase from the $800 million to $1 billion previously communicated. The plan is anticipated to enable the realization of nearly all of the expected benefits in fiscal years 2025 and 2026, more than half of which is expected to benefit fiscal 2025 operating profitability.
The Company remains optimistic about the long-term prospects and future growth opportunities in global prestige beauty. As part of this plan, the Company expects to increase its investments in the strong equity and desirability of its brands to drive sustainable growth, and believes it is well-positioned to drive better diversified growth across its portfolio.
The Company continues to monitor the effects of the global macro environment, including the risk of recession; currency volatility; inflationary pressures; supply chain challenges; social and political issues; regulatory matters, including the imposition of tariffs and sanctions; geopolitical tensions; and global security issues. The Company is also mindful of inflationary pressures on its cost base and is monitoring the impact on consumer preferences.