Latest financial news from leading global players.

 

Comparable sales at BIC’s Human Expression division fell in the mid-single digits in 2025.

 

Revenue for the year was €763 million (US$900 million), a reported decrease of 9.6 per cent versus 2024. 

 

The drop was adjusted to 5.6% (or €45 million) after taking into account currency fluctuations and business exits – namely the sale of Cello in Q4 and the discontinuation of the lossmaking Rocketbook and Skin Creative activities.

 

Below is BIC’s commentary for the 2025 performance at Human Expression on a regional basis.

 

Europe:

Net sales were slightly down at constant currency following a strong 2024 where BIC’s iconic products such as the 4-Color Olympics had been key contributors to growth.

 

In addition, recently launched products such as the 4-Color Smooth or the new highlighter pastel range (BIC BriteLiner Grip) were key contributors to growth.

 

North America:

The stationery market in the US was flat and the ball pen segment, where BIC is the most exposed, declined mid-single digits [according to Circana data]. Against this backdrop, BIC outperformed the market in other key segments, such as mechanical pencils and correction. 

 

Latin America:

In Brazil, net sales declined due to strong competition particularly impacting the ball pen and colouring segments. However, net sales performance improved strongly in the second half of the year, fuelled by growth in value-added segments such as 4-Colors and Gel pens.

 

Middle East and Africa:

The back-to-school season in key regions was solid, leading to significant net sales growth in the fourth quarter, supported by disciplined commercial execution and the continued strong performance of iconic products such as the BIC Cristal pen.

 

BIC CEO Rob Versloot called 2026 a “transitional year”, with him and his new senior leadership team “laser focused on simplifying and transforming the organisation to drive sustainable profitable growth and long-term value creation”.

 

Avery revenue and profit up

Avery has reported organic revenue growth and an improvement in profitability in the final quarter of 2025.

 

The label specialist’s sales in Q4 were C$258 million (US$189 million). This included organic growth of 3.8 per cent as well as a 1.8 per cent contribution from acquisitions. Operating profit jumped by 20 per cent on a currency-adjusted basis to C$54.7 million, with operating margin increasing by 260 basis points to 21.2%.

 

Geoff Martin, CEO of parent company CCL Industries, highlighted strength in Avery’s direct-to-consumer channels in North America, plus “good results” from international markets and the horticulture vertical.

 

For the full year, Avery’s sales of C$1.06 billion represented an organic decline of 1.8 per cent. Operating profit declined by three per cent to C$210.6 million. 

 

For more on these stories and other global news from OPI, go to https://www.opi.net/news/region/001-north-america/bic-reports-on-challen...