Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) 2025 dbAccess Global Consumer Conference summary

Market environment and consumer trends

• Entered 2025 expecting a slowdown after inflationary pricing in prior years, with cautious consumer behavior and volatility in purchasing patterns globally.

• U.S. categories showed mixed performance early in the year, with gradual improvement by April; Europe saw muted but improving volumes and strong share growth.

• Latin America remained stable, with Mexico improving and Brazil softer; Asia showed divergence with urban slowdown in India and sideways movement in China.

• Africa outperformed expectations, and the pet nutrition segment (Hill's) gained share in all segments despite muted category growth.

• Expectation for category improvement in the second half of the year as consumer uncertainty stabilizes.

Retail and inventory dynamics

• No major changes in U.S. trade inventory levels, but retailers are cautious and managing working capital closely.

• International retail environments have generally improved, with constructive promotion and focus on growth and innovation.

Market share and strategic performance

• Strong satisfaction with global market share trends, especially in oral care and Latin America, with high brand penetration and volume shares.