Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

x Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

OR

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-4881

 

 

AVON PRODUCTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York   13-0544597

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10105-0196

(Address of principal executive offices)

(212) 282-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock (par value $.25)   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting Common Stock (par value $.25) held by non-affiliates at June 30, 2010 (the last business day of our most recently completed second quarter) was $11.4 billion.

The number of shares of Common Stock (par value $.25) outstanding at January 31, 2011, was 429,774,772

 

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Part III - Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

Item

        Page  
   Part I   

Item 1

   Business      3 – 7   

Item 1A

   Risk Factors      8 – 15   

Item 1B

   Unresolved Staff Comments      15   

Item 2

   Properties      15   

Item 3

   Legal Proceedings      16   

Item 4

   (Removed and Reserved)      16   
   Part II   

Item 5

   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities      17 – 18   

Item 6

   Selected Financial Data      19   

Item 7

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      20 – 43   

Item 7A

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      43 – 44   

Item 8

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      44   

Item 9

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      45   

Item 9A

   Controls and Procedures      45 – 46   

Item 9B

   Other Information      46   
   Part III   

Item 10

   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      47   

Item 11

   Executive Compensation      47   

Item 12

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters      47   

Item 13

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence      47   

Item 14

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services      47   
   Part IV   

Item 15

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule      48   
   15 (a) 1 Consolidated Financial Statements      48   
   15 (a) 2 Financial Statement Schedule      48   
   15 (a) 3 Index to Exhibits      48 – 52   

Signatures

        53   


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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Statements in this report that are not historical facts or information are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,” “believe,” “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential,” “can,” “expectation” and similar expressions, or the negative of those expressions, may identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable current assumptions and expectations. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement of Avon to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from management’s expectations. Such factors include, among others, the following:

 

   

our ability to implement the key initiatives of, and realize the gross and operating margins and projected benefits (in the amounts and time schedules we expect) from, our global business strategy, including our multi-year restructuring initiatives, product mix and pricing strategies, enterprise resource planning, customer service initiatives, product line simplification program, sales and operation planning process, strategic sourcing initiative, outsourcing strategies, zero-overhead-growth philosophy, Internet platform and technology strategies, information technology and related system enhancements and cash management, tax, foreign currency hedging and risk management strategies;

 

   

our ability to realize the anticipated benefits (including any projections concerning future revenue and operating margin increases) from our multi-year restructuring initiatives or other strategic initiatives on the time schedules or in the amounts that we expect, and our plans to invest these anticipated benefits ahead of future growth;

 

   

the possibility of business disruption in connection with our multi-year restructuring initiatives or other strategic initiatives;

 

   

our ability to realize sustainable growth from our investments in our brand and the direct-selling channel;

 

   

our ability to transition our business in North America, including optimizing our product portfolio and enhancing field fundamentals;

 

   

a general economic downturn, a recession globally or in one or more of our geographic regions, such as North America, or sudden disruption in business conditions, and the ability of our broad-based geographic portfolio to withstand an economic downturn, recession, cost inflation, competitive or other market pressures, or conditions;

 

   

the effect of political, legal, tax and regulatory risks imposed on us, our operations or our Representatives, including foreign exchange or other restrictions, adoption, interpretation and enforcement of foreign laws including any changes thereto, as well as reviews and investigations by government regulators that have occurred or may occur from time to time, including, for example, local regulatory scrutiny in China;

 

   

our ability to effectively implement initiatives to reduce inventory levels in the time period and in the amounts we expect;

 

   

our ability to achieve growth objectives or maintain rates of growth, particularly in our largest markets and developing and emerging markets, such as Brazil or Russia;

 

   

our ability to successfully identify new business opportunities and identify and analyze acquisition candidates, secure financing on favorable terms and negotiate and consummate acquisitions as well as to successfully integrate or manage any acquired business;

 

   

the effect of economic factors, including inflation and fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates, as well as the designation of Venezuela as a highly inflationary economy, foreign exchange restrictions and the potential effect of such factors on our business, results of operations and financial condition;

 

   

our ability to successfully transition and evolve our business in China in connection with the development and evolution of the direct selling business in that market, our ability to operate using a direct-selling model permitted in that market and our ability to retain and increase the number of Active Representatives there over a sustained period of time;

 

   

general economic and business conditions in our markets, including social, economic and political uncertainties in the international markets in our portfolio;

 

   

any developments in or consequences of investigations and compliance reviews, and any litigation related thereto, including the ongoing internal investigation and compliance reviews of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and related U.S. and foreign law matters in China and additional countries, as well as any disruption or adverse consequences resulting from such investigations, reviews, related actions or litigation;

 

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information technology systems outages, disruption in our supply chain or manufacturing and distribution operations, or other sudden disruption in business operations beyond our control as a result of events such as acts of terrorism or war, natural disasters, pandemic situations and large scale power outages;

 

   

the risk of product or ingredient shortages resulting from our concentration of sourcing in fewer suppliers;

 

   

the quality, safety and efficacy of our products;

 

   

the success of our research and development activities;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain key personnel and executives;

 

   

competitive uncertainties in our markets, including competition from companies in the cosmetics, fragrances, skin care and toiletries industry, some of which are larger than we are and have greater resources;

 

   

our ability to implement our Sales Leadership program globally, to generate Representative activity, to increase the number of consumers served per Representative and their engagement online, to enhance the Representative and consumer experience and increase Representative productivity through Service Model Transformation and other investments in the direct-selling channel, and to compete with other direct-selling organizations to recruit, retain and service Representatives and to continue to innovate the direct selling model;

 

   

the impact of the seasonal nature of our business, adverse effect of rising energy, commodity and raw material prices, changes in market trends, purchasing habits of our consumers and changes in consumer preferences, particularly given the global nature of our business and the conduct of our business in primarily one channel;

 

   

our ability to protect our intellectual property rights;

 

   

the risk of an adverse outcome in any material pending and future litigations or with respect to the legal status of Representatives;

 

   

our ratings, our access to cash and financing and ability to secure financing at attractive rates; and

 

   

the impact of possible pension funding obligations, increased pension expense and any changes in pension regulations or interpretations thereof on our cash flow and results of operations.

We undertake no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

 

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PART I

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

When used in this report, the terms “Avon,” “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” mean, unless the context otherwise indicates, Avon Products, Inc. and its majority and wholly owned subsidiaries.

General

We are a global manufacturer and marketer of beauty and related products. We commenced operations in 1886 and were incorporated in the State of New York on January 27, 1916. We conduct our business in the highly competitive beauty industry and compete against other consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) and direct-selling companies to create, manufacture and market beauty and non-beauty-related products. Our product categories are Beauty, Fashion and Home. Beauty consists of color cosmetics, fragrances, skin care and personal care. Fashion consists of fashion jewelry, watches, apparel, footwear, accessories and children’s products. Home consists of gift and decorative products, housewares, entertainment and leisure products and nutritional products.

Unlike most of our CPG competitors, which sell their products through third-party retail establishments (e.g., drug stores, department stores), our business is conducted worldwide primarily in one channel, direct selling. Our reportable segments are based on geographic operations in six regions: Latin America; North America; Central & Eastern Europe; Western Europe, Middle East & Africa; Asia Pacific; and China. We have centralized operations for Global Brand Marketing, Global Sales and Supply Chain. Financial information relating to our reportable segments is included in the “Segment Review” section within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which we refer to in this report as “MD&A”, on pages 20 through 43 of this 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which we refer to in this report as our “2010 Annual Report”, and in Note 13, Segment Information, on pages F-33 through F-35 of our 2010 Annual Report. Information about geographic areas is included in Note 13, Segment Information, on pages F-33 through F-35 of our 2010 Annual Report.

Over the past five years, we have been implementing our multi-year turnaround plan through various strategic initiatives, including our 2005 and 2009 Restructuring Programs, product line simplification program (“PLS”), strategic sourcing initiative (“SSI”) and investments in advertising and our Representatives. Additional information regarding our strategic initiatives is included in the “Overview” and “Strategic Initiatives” sections within MD&A on pages 20 through 23 and additional information regarding our inventory is included in the “Provisions for Inventory Obsolescence” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections within MD&A on pages 25 and 40 through 42 of our 2010 Annual Report.

In July 2010, we purchased substantially all the assets and liabilities of Silpada Designs, Inc. (“Silpada”), a direct seller of jewelry products, primarily in North America.

Distribution

We presently have sales operations in 64 countries and territories, including the U.S., and distribute our products in 41 more. Unlike most of our competitors, which sell their products through third party retail establishments (e.g., drug stores, department stores), we primarily sell our products to the ultimate consumer through the direct-selling channel. In our case, sales of our products are made to the ultimate consumer principally through direct selling by approximately 6.5 million active independent Representatives. Representatives are independent contractors and not our employees. Representatives earn a profit by purchasing products directly from us at a discount from a published brochure price and selling them to their customers, the ultimate consumer of our products. We generally have no arrangements with end users of our products beyond the Representative, except as described below. No single Representative accounts for more than 10% of our net sales.

A Representative contacts customers directly, selling primarily through our brochure, which highlights new products and special promotions for each sales campaign. In this sense, the Representative, together with the brochure, are the “store” through which our products are sold. A brochure introducing a new sales campaign is usually generated every two weeks in the U.S. and every two to four weeks for most markets outside the U.S. Generally, the Representative forwards an order for a campaign to us using the mail, the Internet, telephone, or fax. This order is processed and the products are assembled at a distribution center and delivered to the Representative usually through a combination of local and national delivery companies. Generally, the Representative then delivers the merchandise and collects payment from the customer for his or her own account. A Representative generally receives a refund of the full price the Representative paid for a product if the Representative chooses to return it.

 

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We employ certain electronic order systems to increase Representative support, which allow a Representative to run her or his business more efficiently and also allow us to improve our order-processing accuracy. For example, in many countries, Representatives can utilize the Internet to manage their business electronically, including order submission, order tracking, payment and two-way communications with us. In addition Representatives can further build their own business through personalized web pages provided by us, enabling them to sell a complete line of our products online. Self-paced online training also is available in certain markets, as well as up-to-the-minute news about us.

In some markets, we use decentralized branches, satellite stores and independent retail operations to serve Representatives and other customers. Representatives come to a branch to place and pick up product orders for their customers. The branches also create visibility for us with consumers and help reinforce our beauty image. In certain markets, we provide opportunities to license our beauty centers and other retail-oriented and direct to consumer opportunities to reach new customers in complementary ways to direct selling. In the U.S. and selected other markets, we also market our products through consumer websites (www.avon.com in the U.S.).

The recruiting or appointing and training of Representatives are the primary responsibilities of district sales managers and zone managers. Depending on the market and the responsibilities of the role, some of these individuals are our employees and some are independent contractors. Those who are employees are paid a salary and an incentive based primarily on the achievement of a sales objective in their district. Those who are independent contractors are rewarded primarily based on total sales achieved in their zones or downlines. Personal contacts, including recommendations from current Representatives (including the Sales Leadership program), and local market advertising constitute the primary means of obtaining new Representatives. The Sales Leadership program is a multi-level compensation program which gives Representatives, known as Sales Leadership Representatives, the opportunity to earn bonuses based on the net sales made by Representatives they have recruited and trained in addition to discounts earned on their own sales of our products. This program generally limits the number of levels on which commissions can be earned to three and continues to focus on individual product sales by Sales Leadership Representatives. The primary responsibilities of Sales Leadership Representatives are the prospecting, appointing, training and development of their down-line Representatives while maintaining a certain level of their own sales. Development of the Sales Leadership program throughout the world is one part of our long-term growth strategy. As described above, the Representative is the “store” through which we primarily sell our products and given the high rate of turnover among Representatives (a common characteristic of direct selling), it is critical that we recruit, retain and service Representatives on a continuing basis in order to maintain and grow our business. As part of our multi-year turnaround plan, we have initiatives underway to standardize global processes for prospecting, appointing, training and developing Representatives, as well as training and developing our direct-selling executives.

One of our key strategies to recruit and retain Representatives is to improve the reward and effort equation for our Representatives (Representative Value Proposition or “RVP”). We have allocated significant incremental investment to grow our Representative base, to increase the frequency with which the Representatives order and the size of the order. We have also undertaken extensive research to determine the pay back on specific advertising, field tools and other actions and the optimal balance of these tools and actions in key markets. In addition to a research and marketing intelligence staff, we have employed both internal and external statisticians to develop proprietary, fact-based regression analyses using our vast product and sales history.

From time to time, local governments and others question the legal status of Representatives or impose burdens inconsistent with their status as independent contractors, often in regard to possible coverage under social benefit laws that would require us (and, in most instances, the Representatives) to make regular contributions to government social benefit funds. Although we have generally been able to address these questions in a satisfactory manner, these questions can be raised again following regulatory changes in a jurisdiction or can be raised in additional jurisdictions. If there should be a final determination adverse to us in a country, the cost for future, and possibly past, contributions could be so substantial in the context of the volume and profitability of our business in that country that we would consider discontinuing operations in that country.

Promotion and Marketing

Sales promotion and sales development activities are directed at assisting Representatives, through sales aids such as brochures, product samples and demonstration products. In order to support the efforts of Representatives to reach new customers, specially designed sales aids, promotional pieces, customer flyers, television and print advertising are used. In addition, we seek to motivate our Representatives through the use of special incentive programs that reward superior sales performance. We have made significant investments to understand the financial return of such field incentives. Periodic sales meetings with Representatives are conducted by the district sales or zone managers. The meetings are designed to keep Representatives abreast of product line changes, explain sales techniques and provide recognition for sales performance.

 

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A number of merchandising techniques are used, including the introduction of new products, the use of combination offers, the use of trial sizes and samples, and the promotion of products packaged as gift items. In general, for each sales campaign, a distinctive brochure is published, in which new products are introduced and selected items are offered as special promotions or are given particular prominence in the brochure. A key current priority for our merchandising is to expand the use of pricing and promotional models to enable a deeper, fact-based understanding of the role and impact of pricing within our product portfolio.

Investment in advertising is another key strategy. We significantly increased spending on advertising since 2006, including advertising to recruit Representatives. We expect this to be an ongoing investment to strengthen our beauty image worldwide and drive sales positively.

From time to time, various regulations or laws have been proposed or adopted that would, in general, restrict the frequency, duration or volume of sales resulting from new product introductions, special promotions or other special price offers. We expect our pricing flexibility and broad product lines to mitigate the effect of these regulations.

Competitive Conditions

We face competition from various products and product lines both domestically and internationally. The beauty and beauty-related products industry is highly competitive and the number of competitors and degree of competition that we face in this industry varies widely from country to country. Worldwide, we compete against products sold to consumers by other direct-selling and direct-sales companies and through the Internet, and against products sold through the mass market and prestige retail channels.

Specifically, due to the nature of the direct-selling channel, we compete on a regional, often country-by-country basis, with our direct-selling competitors. Unlike most other beauty companies, we compete within a distinct business model where providing a compelling earnings opportunity for our Representatives is as critical as developing and marketing new and innovative products. As a result, in contrast to a typical CPG company which operates within a broad-based consumer pool, we must first compete for a limited pool of Representatives before we reach the ultimate consumer.

Within the broader CPG industry, we principally compete against large and well-known cosmetics and fragrances companies that manufacture and sell broad product lines through various types of retail establishments. In addition, we compete against many other companies that manufacture and sell more narrow beauty product lines sold through retail establishments and other channels.

We also have many competitors in the gift and decorative products and apparel industries globally, including retail establishments, principally department stores, gift shops and specialty retailers, and direct-mail companies specializing in these products.

Our principal competition in the fashion jewelry industry consists of a few large companies and many small companies that sell fashion jewelry through retail establishments and direct-selling.

We believe that the personalized customer service offered by our Representatives; the amount and type of field incentives we offer our Representatives on a market-by-market basis; the high quality, attractive designs and prices of our products; the high level of new and innovative products; our easily recognized brand name and our guarantee of product satisfaction are significant factors in helping to establish and maintaining our competitive position.

International Operations

Our international operations are conducted primarily through subsidiaries in 63 countries and territories outside of the U.S. In addition to these countries and territories, our products are distributed in 41 other countries and territories through distributorships.

Our international operations are subject to risks inherent in conducting business abroad, including, but not limited to, the risk of adverse currency fluctuations, currency remittance restrictions and unfavorable social, economic and political conditions.

See the sections “Risk Factors - Our ability to conduct business, particularly in international markets, may be affected by political, legal, tax and regulatory risks” and “Risk Factors - We are subject to financial risks related to our international operations, including exposure to foreign currency fluctuations” in Item 1A on page 8 of our 2010 Annual Report.

 

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Manufacturing

We manufacture and package almost all of our Beauty products. Raw materials, consisting chiefly of essential oils, chemicals, containers and packaging components, are purchased for our Beauty products from various suppliers. Almost all of our Fashion and Home products are purchased from various suppliers. Additionally, we design the brochures that are used by the Representatives to sell our products. The loss of any one supplier would not have a material impact on our ability to source raw materials for our Beauty products or source products for our Fashion and Home categories or paper for the brochures.

Packages, consisting of containers and packaging components, are designed by our staff of artists and designers. The design and development of new Beauty products are affected by the cost and availability of materials such as glass, plastics and chemicals. We believe that we can continue to obtain sufficient raw materials and supplies to manufacture and produce our Beauty products for the foreseeable future.

As further described in the “Overview” and “Strategic Initiatives” sections within MD&A on pages 20 through 23, we continue to implement the principles of SSI to reduce direct and indirect costs of materials, goods and services. Under this initiative, we continue to shift our purchasing strategy from a local, commodity-oriented approach towards a globally-coordinated effort.

We also continue to implement an enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system on a worldwide basis, which is expected to improve the efficiency of our supply chain and financial transaction processes. The implementation is expected to continue in phases over the next several years. We have completed implementation in certain significant markets.

See Item 2, Properties, for additional information regarding the location of our principal manufacturing facilities.

Product Categories

Each of our three product categories account for 10% or more of consolidated net sales. The following is the percentage of net sales by product category for the years ended December 31:

 

     2010     2009     2008  

Beauty

     71     72     72

Fashion

     19     18     18

Home

     10     10     10

Trademarks and Patents

Our business is not materially dependent on the existence of third-party patent, trademark or other third-party intellectual property rights, and we are not a party to any ongoing material licenses, franchises or concessions. We do seek to protect our key proprietary technologies by aggressively pursuing comprehensive patent coverage in major markets. We protect our Avon name and other major proprietary trademarks through registration of these trademarks in the markets where we sell our products, monitoring the markets for infringement of such trademarks by others, and by taking appropriate steps to stop any infringing activities.

Seasonal Nature of Business

Our sales and earnings have a marked seasonal pattern characteristic of many companies selling Beauty, gift and decorative products, apparel, and fashion jewelry. Holiday sales cause a sales peak in the fourth quarter of the year; however, the sales volume of holiday gift items is, by its nature, difficult to forecast. Fourth quarter revenue and operating data was as follows:

 

     2010     2009  

Fourth quarter revenues as a % of total revenue

     29     31

Fourth quarter operating profit as a % of total operating profit

     33     41

The fourth quarter operating profit comparison between 2010 and 2009 was impacted by higher costs to implement our restructuring initiatives in 2010 compared to 2009. The fourth quarter of 2010 included costs to implement our restructuring initiatives of $58.3, whereas the fourth quarter of 2009 included $33.7 of costs to implement our restructuring initiatives.

Research and Product Development Activities

New products are essential to growth in the highly competitive cosmetics industry. Our research and development department’s efforts are significant to developing new products, including formulating effective beauty treatments relevant to women’s needs, and redesigning or reformulating existing products. To increase our brand competitiveness, we have sustained our focus on new technology and product innovation to deliver first-to-market products that provide visible consumer benefits.

 

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Our global research and development facility is located in Suffern, NY. A team of researchers and technicians apply the disciplines of science to the practical aspects of bringing products to market around the world. Relationships with dermatologists and other specialists enhance our ability to deliver new formulas and ingredients to market. Additionally, we have satellite research facilities located in Argentina, Brazil, China, Mexico, Poland and South Africa. In 2010, we invested in our R&D facility in Shanghai, China to increase our ability to develop products to better meet Asian consumers’ needs.

In 2010, our most significant product launches included: UCR Mega Impact Lipstick, Super Extend Mascara, Eternal Magic Fragrance, Outspoken by Fergie Fragrance, Anew Platinum Night Cream and Serum, Anew Luminosity-Pro Serum, and Advance Technique Lotus Shield .

The amounts incurred on research activities relating to the development of new products and the improvement of existing products were $72.6 in 2010, $65.4 in 2009 and $69.7 in 2008. This research included the activities of product research and development and package design and development. Most of these activities were related to the development of Beauty products.

Environmental Matters

In general, compliance with environmental regulations impacting our global operations has not had, and is not anticipated to have, any material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, financial position or competitive position.

Employees

At December 31, 2010, we employed approximately 42,000 employees. Of these, approximately 6,200 were employed in the U.S. and 35,800 in other countries.

Website Access to Reports

Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, are, and have been throughout 2010, available without charge on our investor website (www.avoninvestor.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We also make available on our website the charters of our Board Committees, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Copies of these SEC reports and other documents are also available, without charge, from Investor Relations, Avon Products, Inc., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105-0196 or by sending an email to investor.relations@avon.com or by calling (212) 282-5320. Information on our website does not constitute part of this report. Additionally, our filings with the SEC may be read and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. These filings including reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding the Company are also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after we have filed or furnished the above referenced reports.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider each of the following risks associated with an investment in our publicly traded securities and all of the other information in our 2010 Annual Report. Our business may also be adversely affected by risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial. If any of the events contemplated by the following discussion of risks should occur, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

Our success depends on our ability to execute fully our global business strategy.

Our ability to implement the key initiatives of our global business strategy is dependent upon a number of factors, including our ability to:

 

   

implement our multi-year restructuring programs and achieve anticipated savings from the initiatives under these programs;

 

   

increase our beauty sales and market share, and strengthen our brand image;

 

   

realize anticipated cost savings and reinvest such savings effectively in consumer-oriented investments and other aspects of our business;

 

   

implement appropriate product mix and pricing strategies, including our PLS program and achieve anticipated benefits from these strategies;

 

   

implement enterprise resource planning and SSI and realize efficiencies across our supply chain, marketing processes, sales model and organizational structure;

 

   

implement customer service initiatives, the Sales and Operation Planning process and a zero overhead growth philosophy;

 

   

implement and continue to innovate our Internet platform and technology strategies;

 

   

implement our outsourcing strategies;

 

   

implement initiatives to reduce inventory levels;

 

   

secure financings at attractive rates, maintain appropriate cash flow levels and implement cash management, tax, foreign currency hedging and risk management strategies;

 

   

transition our business in North America, including optimizing our product portfolio and enhancing field fundamentals;

 

   

implement our Sales Leadership program globally, recruit Representatives, enhance the Representative experience and increase their productivity through Service Model Transformation and other investments in the direct selling channel;

 

   

increase the number of consumers served per Representative and their engagement online, as well as to reach new consumers through a combination of new brands, new businesses, new channels and pursuit of strategic opportunities such as acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances with other companies; and

 

   

estimate and achieve any projections concerning future revenue and operating margin increases.

There can be no assurance that any of these initiatives will be successfully and fully executed in the amounts or within the time periods that we expect.

We may experience difficulties, delays or unexpected costs in completing our multi-year turnaround plan, including achieving the anticipated savings and benefits of the initiatives thereunder.

In November 2005, we announced a multi-year turnaround plan as part of a major drive to fuel revenue growth and expand profit margins, while increasing consumer investments. Restructuring initiatives that are part of the turnaround plan include: enhancement of organizational effectiveness, implementation of a global manufacturing strategy through facilities realignment, additional supply chain efficiencies in the areas of procurement and distribution and streamlining of transactional and other services through outsourcing and moves to low-cost countries. As part of the turnaround plan, we also launched our PLS program and SSI initiative. In February 2009, we announced a new restructuring program under our multi-year turnaround plan, which focuses on restructuring our global supply chain operations, realigning certain local business support functions to a more regional basis to drive increased efficiencies, streamlining transaction-related services, including selective outsourcing, and reorganizing certain functions.

We may not realize, in full or in part, the anticipated savings or benefits from one or more of these initiatives, and other events and circumstances, such as difficulties, delays or unexpected costs, may occur which could result in our not realizing all or any of the anticipated savings or benefits. If we are unable to realize these savings or benefits, our ability

 

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to continue to fund planned advertising, market intelligence, consumer research and product innovation initiatives may be adversely affected. In addition, our plans to invest these savings and benefits ahead of future growth means that such costs will be incurred whether or not we realize these savings and benefits.

We are also subject to the risk of business disruption in connection with our multi-year restructuring programs or other strategic initiatives, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve our growth objectives or maintain rates of growth.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve profitable growth in the future or maintain rates of growth, particularly in our largest markets and developing and emerging markets, such as Brazil or Russia. Our growth overall is also subject to the strengths and weakness of our individual markets, including our international markets, which are or may be impacted by global economic conditions. We cannot assure that our broad-based geographic portfolio will be able to withstand an economic downturn, recession, cost inflation, competitive or other market pressures in one or more particular regions. Our ability to increase or maintain revenue and earnings depends on numerous factors, and there can be no assurance that our current or future business strategies will lead us to achieve our growth objectives or maintain our rates of growth.

Our business is conducted worldwide primarily in one channel, direct selling.

Our business is conducted worldwide, primarily in the direct-selling channel. Sales are made to the ultimate consumer principally through approximately 6.5 million active independent Representatives worldwide. There is a high rate of turnover among Representatives, which is a common characteristic of the direct-selling business. As a result, in order to maintain our business and grow our business in the future, we need to recruit, retain and service Representatives on a continuing basis and continue to innovate the direct-selling model. If consumers change their purchasing habits, such as by reducing purchases of beauty and related products generally, or by reducing purchases from Representatives or buying beauty and related products in channels other than in direct selling, this could reduce our sales and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If our competitors establish greater market share in the direct-selling channel, our business, financial condition and operating results may be adversely affected. Furthermore, if any government bans or severely restricts our business method of direct selling, our business, financial condition and operating results may be adversely affected.

Our ability to conduct business, particularly in international markets, may be affected by political, legal, tax and regulatory risks.

Our ability to capitalize on growth, particularly in new international markets, and to maintain the current level of operations, particularly in our existing international markets, is exposed to risks associated with our international operations, including:

 

   

the possibility that a foreign government might ban or severely restrict our business method of direct selling, or that local civil unrest, political instability or changes in diplomatic or trade relationships might disrupt our operations in an international market;

 

   

the lack of well-established or reliable legal systems in certain areas where we operate;

 

   

the adoption of new U.S. or international tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities;

 

   

the possibility that a government authority might impose legal, tax or other financial burdens on our Representatives, as direct sellers, or on Avon, due, for example, to the structure of our operations in various markets; and

 

   

the possibility that a government authority might challenge the status of our Representatives as independent contractors or impose employment or social taxes on our Representatives.

For example, in 1998, the Chinese government banned direct selling but, subsequently in April 2005, the Chinese government granted approval for us to proceed with a limited test of direct selling in certain areas. The Chinese government later issued direct-selling regulations in late 2005, and we were granted a direct-selling license by China’s Ministry of Commerce in late February 2006, which has allowed us to commence direct selling under such regulations. However, there can be no assurance that these and other regulations and approvals will not be rescinded, restricted or otherwise altered, which may have a material adverse effect on our direct selling business in China. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully transition and evolve our business in China in connection with the development and evolution of the direct selling business in that market and successfully operate using a direct-selling model permitted in that market, or that we will experience growth in that or other emerging markets. We may encounter similar political, legal and regulatory risks in other international markets in our portfolio.

 

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We are also subject to the adoption, interpretation and enforcement by governmental agencies of other foreign laws, rules, regulations or policies, including any changes thereto, such as restrictions on trade, import and export license requirements, privacy and data protection laws, records and information management, and tariffs and taxes, which may require us to adjust our operations and systems in certain markets where we do business. For example, privacy and data protection laws are subject to frequently changing rules and regulations, which may vary among the various jurisdictions where we operate. If we are unable to adhere to or successfully implement processes in response to changing regulatory requirements, our business and/or reputation may be adversely affected. In addition, we face legal and regulatory risks in the United States and, in particular, cannot predict with certainty the outcome of various contingencies or the impact that pending or future legislative and regulatory changes may have on our business in the future. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has proposed business opportunity regulations which may have an effect upon the Company’s method of operating in the U.S. It is not possible to gauge what any final regulation may provide, its effective date or its impact at this time.

We are subject to financial risks related to our international operations, including exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.

We operate globally, through operations in various locations around the world, and derive approximately 83% of our consolidated revenue from our operations outside of the U.S.

One risk associated with our international operations is that the functional currency for most of our international operations is the applicable local currency. Because of this, movements in exchange rates may have a significant impact on our earnings, cash flow and financial position. For example, currencies for which we have significant exposures include the Argentine peso, Brazilian real, British pound, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Colombian peso, the euro, Mexican peso, Philippine peso, Polish zloty, Russian ruble, Turkish lira, Ukrainian hryvnia and Venezuelan bolívar. Although we implement foreign currency hedging and risk management strategies to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign exchange rates, there can be no assurance that foreign currency fluctuations will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Another risk associated with our international operations is the possibility that a foreign government may impose currency remittance restrictions. Due to the possibility of government restrictions on transfers of cash out of the country and control of exchange rates, we may not be able to immediately repatriate cash at the official exchange rate or if the official exchange rate devalues, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. For example, currency restrictions enacted by the Venezuelan government in 2003 have become more restrictive and have impacted the ability of our subsidiary in Venezuela (“Avon Venezuela”) to obtain foreign currency at the official rate to pay for imported products. Unless official foreign exchange is made more readily available, Avon Venezuela’s operations will continue to be negatively impacted as it will need to obtain more of its foreign currency needs from non-government sources where the exchange rate is less favorable than the official rate.

Inflation is another risk associated with our international operations. For example, Venezuela has been designated as a highly inflationary economy. Gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of the financial statements of subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies are recorded in earnings. Given Venezuela’s designation as a highly inflationary economy and the devaluation of the official rate, our revenue, operating profit, and net income will continue to be negatively impacted in 2011 and beyond. In addition, there can be no assurance that other countries in which we operate will not also become highly inflationary and that our operations will not be negatively impacted as a result. See the “Segment Review” section within MD&A on page 33 of our 2010 Annual Report for additional information regarding Venezuela.

A general economic downturn, a recession globally or in one or more of our geographic regions or sudden disruption in business conditions may adversely affect our business, including consumer purchases of discretionary items, such as beauty and related products.

A downturn in the economies in which we sell our products, including any recession in one or more of our geographic regions, or the current global macro-economic pressures, could adversely affect our business. Recent global economic events over the past few years, especially in North America, including job losses, the tightening of credit markets and failures of financial institutions and other entities, have resulted in challenges to our business and a heightened concern regarding further deterioration globally. If current economic conditions continue or worsen, we could experience potential declines in revenues, profitability and cash flow due to reduced orders, payment delays, supply chain disruptions or other factors caused by economic challenges faced by customers, prospective customers and suppliers. Additionally, if these conditions continue or worsen, any one or all of them could potentially have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital resources, including our ability to issue commercial paper, raise additional capital or the ability of lenders to maintain our credit lines, and our ability to maintain offshore cash balances, or otherwise negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Consumer spending is generally affected by a number of factors, including general economic conditions, inflation, interest rates, energy costs, gasoline prices and consumer confidence generally, all of which are beyond our control. Consumer purchases of discretionary items tend to decline during recessionary periods, when disposable income is lower, and may impact sales of our products. We face continued economic challenges in fiscal 2011 because customers may continue to have less money for discretionary purchases as a result of job losses, foreclosures, bankruptcies, reduced access to credit and sharply falling home prices, among other things.

In addition, sudden disruptions in business conditions as a result of a terrorist attack similar to the events of September 11, 2001, including further attacks, retaliation and the threat of further attacks or retaliation, war, adverse weather conditions and climate changes or other natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, pandemic situations or large scale power outages can have a short or, sometimes, long-term impact on consumer spending.

We face significant competition.

We face competition from competing products in each of our lines of business, in both the domestic and international markets. Worldwide, we compete against products sold to consumers by other direct-selling and direct-sales companies and through the Internet, and against products sold through the mass market and prestige retail channels. We also face increasing competition in our developing and emerging markets.

Within the direct selling channel, we compete on a regional, and often country-by-country basis, with our direct-selling competitors. There are also a number of direct-selling companies that sell product lines similar to ours, some of which also have worldwide operations and compete with us globally. Unlike most other beauty companies, we compete within a distinct business model where providing a compelling earnings opportunity for our Representatives is as critical as developing and marketing new and innovative products. Therefore, in contrast to a typical consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) company which operates within a broad-based consumer pool, we must first compete for a limited pool of Representatives before we reach the ultimate consumer.

Direct sellers compete for representative or entrepreneurial talent by providing a more competitive earnings opportunity or “better deal” than that offered by the competition. Representatives are attracted to a direct seller by competitive earnings opportunities, often through what are commonly known as “field incentives” in the direct selling industry. Competitors devote substantial effort to finding out the effectiveness of such incentives so that they can invest in incentives that are the most cost effective or produce the better payback. As the largest and oldest beauty direct seller, Avon’s business model and strategies are often highly sought after, particularly by smaller local and more nimble competitors who seek to capitalize on our investment and experience. As a result, we are subject to significant competition for the recruitment of Representatives from other direct selling or network marketing organizations. It is therefore continually necessary to innovate and enhance our direct selling and service model as well as to recruit and retain new Representatives. If we are unable to do so our business will be adversely affected.

Within the broader CPG industry, we compete against large and well-known cosmetics and fragrances companies that manufacture and sell broad product lines through various types of retail establishments. In addition, we compete against many other companies that manufacture and sell in more narrow Beauty product lines sold through retail establishments. This industry is highly competitive, and some of our principal competitors in the CPG industry are larger than we are and have greater resources than we do. Competitive activities on their part could cause our sales to suffer. We have many competitors in the highly competitive gift and decorative products and apparel industries globally, including retail establishments, principally department stores, gift shops and specialty retailers, and direct-mail companies specializing in these products. Our principal competition in the highly competitive fashion jewelry industry consists of a few large companies and many small companies that sell fashion jewelry through retail establishments.

The number of competitors and degree of competition that we face in this beauty and related products industry varies widely from country to country. If our advertising, promotional, merchandising or other marketing strategies are not successful, if we are unable to deliver new products that represent technological breakthroughs, if we do not successfully manage the timing of new product introductions or the profitability of these efforts, or if for other reasons our Representatives or end customers perceive competitors’ products as having greater appeal, then our sales and financial results may suffer.

Any acquisitions may expose us to additional risks.

We continuously review acquisition prospects that would complement our current product offerings, increase the size and geographic scope of our operations or otherwise offer growth and operating efficiency opportunities. The financing for any of these acquisitions could dilute the interests of our stockholders, result in an increase in our indebtedness or both. Acquisitions may entail numerous risks, including:

 

   

difficulties in assimilating acquired operations or products, including the loss of key employees from acquired businesses and disruption to our direct selling channel;

 

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diversion of management’s attention from our core business;

 

   

adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers; and

 

   

risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience.

Our failure to successfully complete the integration of any acquired business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates or consummate acquisitions on favorable terms.

Our information technology systems may be susceptible to disruptions.

We employ information technology systems to support our business, including systems to support financial reporting, an enterprise resource planning system which we are implementing on a worldwide basis, and an internal communication and data transfer network. We also employ information technology systems to support Representatives in many of our markets, including electronic order collection and invoicing systems and on-line training. We have Internet sites in many of our markets, including business-to-business sites to support Representatives. We have undertaken initiatives to increase our reliance on employing information technology systems to support our Representatives, as well as initiatives, as part of our multi-year restructuring program, to outsource certain services, including the provision of global human resources information technology systems to our employees and other information technology processes. Any of these systems may be susceptible to outages or disruptions due to the complex landscape of localized applications and architectures as well as incidents due to legacy or unintegrated systems or both, fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, terrorist attacks, break-ins and similar events. There may be other challenges and risks as we upgrade, modernize, and standardize our information technology systems on a worldwide basis. Despite the implementation of network security measures, our systems may also be vulnerable to computer viruses, data security breaches, break-ins and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with these systems. The occurrence of these or other events could disrupt our information technology systems and adversely affect our operation.

Third-party suppliers provide, among other things, the raw materials used to manufacture our Beauty products, and the loss of these suppliers or a disruption or interruption in the supply chain may adversely affect our business.

We manufacture and package almost all of our Beauty products. Raw materials, consisting chiefly of essential oils, chemicals, containers and packaging components, are purchased from various third-party suppliers for our Beauty products. Almost all of our non-Beauty products are purchased from various suppliers. Additionally, we produce the brochures that are used by Representatives to sell Avon products. The loss of multiple suppliers or a significant disruption or interruption in the supply chain could have a material adverse effect on the manufacturing and packaging of our Beauty products, the purchasing of our non-Beauty products or the production of our brochures. This risk may be exacerbated by SSI, which is shifting our purchasing strategy toward a globally-coordinated effort. Furthermore, increases in the costs of raw materials or other commodities may adversely affect our profit margins if we are unable to pass along any higher costs in the form of price increases or otherwise achieve cost efficiencies in manufacturing and distribution.

The loss of or a disruption in our manufacturing and distribution operations could adversely affect our business.

Our principal properties consist of worldwide manufacturing facilities for the production of Beauty products, distribution centers where offices are located and where finished merchandise is packed and shipped to Representatives in fulfillment of their orders, and one principal research and development facility. Additionally, we also use third party manufacturers to manufacture certain of our products. Therefore, as a company engaged in manufacturing, distribution and research and development on a global scale, we are subject to the risks inherent in such activities, including industrial accidents, environmental events, fires, strikes and other labor or industrial disputes, disruptions in logistics or information systems, loss or impairment of key manufacturing or distribution sites, product quality control, safety, licensing requirements and other regulatory or government issues, as well as natural disasters, pandemics, border disputes, acts of terrorism and other external factors over which we have no control. These risks may be exacerbated by our efforts to increase facility consolidation covering our manufacturing, distribution and supply footprints or if we are unable to successfully enhance our disaster recovery planning. The loss of, or damage to, any of our facilities or centers, or that of our third party manufacturers could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our success depends, in part, on the quality and safety of our products.

Our success depends, in part, on the quality and safety of our products, including the procedures we employ to detect the likelihood of hazard, manufacturing issues and unforeseen product misuse. If our products are found to be defective or unsafe, or if they otherwise fail to meet our Representatives’ or end customers’ standards, our relationship with our

 

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Representatives or end customers could suffer, we could need to recall some of our products, our reputation or the appeal of our brand could be diminished, and we could lose market share and/or become subject to liability claims, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our success depends, in part, on our key personnel.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to retain our key personnel, including our executive officers and senior management team. The unexpected loss of one or more of our key employees could adversely affect our business. Our success also depends, in part, on our continuing ability to identify, hire, train and retain other highly qualified personnel. Competition for these employees can be intense. We may not be able to attract, assimilate or retain qualified personnel in the future, and our failure to do so could adversely affect our business. This risk may be exacerbated by the uncertainties associated with the implementation of our multi-year restructuring plan.

Our ability to anticipate and respond to market trends and changes in consumer preferences could affect our financial results.

Our continued success depends on our ability to anticipate, gauge and react in a timely and effective manner to changes in consumer spending patterns and preferences for beauty and related products. We must continually work to develop, produce and market new products, maintain and enhance the recognition of our brands, achieve a favorable mix of products, and refine our approach as to how and where we market and sell our products. While we devote considerable effort and resources to shape, analyze and respond to consumer preferences, consumer spending patterns and preferences cannot be predicted with certainty and can change rapidly. If we are unable to anticipate and respond to trends in the market for beauty and related products and changing consumer demands, our financial results will suffer. This risk may be exacerbated by our PLS program, which is leading to significant changes to our product offerings.

Furthermore, material shifts or decreases in market demand for our products, including as a result of changes in consumer spending patterns and preferences, could result in us carrying inventory that cannot be sold at anticipated prices or increased product returns by our Representatives. Failure to maintain proper inventory levels or increased product returns by our Representatives could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, specifically patents and trademarks, our ability to compete could be negatively impacted.

The market for our products depends to a significant extent upon the value associated with our product innovations and our brand equity. We own the material patents and trademarks used in connection with the marketing and distribution of our major products both in the U.S. and in other countries where such products are principally sold. Although most of our material intellectual property is registered in the U.S. and in certain foreign countries in which we operate, there can be no assurance with respect to the rights associated with such intellectual property in those countries. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries, including many emerging markets, such as China, may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. The costs required to protect our patents and trademarks may be substantial.

We are involved, and may become involved in the future, in legal proceedings that, if adversely adjudicated or settled, could adversely affect our financial results.

We are and may, in the future, become party to litigation. In general, litigation claims can be expensive and time consuming to bring or defend against and could result in settlements or damages that could significantly affect financial results. We are currently vigorously contesting certain of these litigation claims. However, it is not possible to predict the final resolution of the litigation to which we currently are or may in the future become party to, and the impact of certain of these matters on our business, results of operations and financial condition could be material.

Government reviews, inquiries, investigations, and actions could harm our business or reputation.

As we operate in various locations around the world, our operations in certain countries are subject to significant governmental scrutiny and may be harmed by the results of such scrutiny. The regulatory environment with regard to direct selling in emerging and developing markets where we do business is evolving, and officials in such locations often exercise broad discretion in deciding how to interpret and apply applicable regulations. From time to time, we may receive formal and informal inquiries from various government regulatory authorities about our business and compliance with local laws and regulations. Any determination that our operations or activities, or the activities of our Representatives, are not in compliance with existing laws or regulations could result in the imposition of substantial fines, interruptions of business, loss of supplier, vendor or other third party relationships, termination of necessary licenses and permits, or similar results, all of which could potentially harm our business and/or reputation. Even if an inquiry does not result in these types of determinations, it potentially could create negative publicity which could harm our business and/or reputation.

 

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We are investigating Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and related U.S. and foreign law matters, and from time to time we may conduct other internal investigations and compliance reviews, the consequences of which could negatively impact our business.

From time to time, we may conduct internal investigations and compliance reviews, the consequences of which could negatively impact our business. Any determination that our operations or activities are not in compliance with existing United States or foreign laws or regulations could result in the imposition of substantial fines, interruptions of business, loss of supplier, vendor or other third party relationships, termination of necessary licenses and permits, and other legal or equitable sanctions. Other legal or regulatory proceedings, as well as government investigations, which often involve complex legal issues and are subject to uncertainties, may also follow as a consequence. It is our policy to cooperate with U.S. and foreign government agencies and regulators, as appropriate, in connection with our investigations and compliance reviews.

As previously reported, we have engaged outside counsel to conduct an internal investigation and compliance reviews focused on compliance with the FCPA and related U.S. and foreign laws in China and additional countries. The internal investigation, which is being conducted under the oversight of our Audit Committee, began in June 2008. As we reported in October 2008, we voluntarily contacted the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the United States Department of Justice to advise both agencies of our internal investigation. We are continuing to cooperate with both agencies and inquiries by them, including but not limited to, signing tolling agreements, translating and producing documents and assisting with interviews.

As previously reported in July 2009, in connection with the internal investigation, we commenced compliance reviews regarding the FCPA and related U.S. and foreign laws in additional countries in order to evaluate our compliance efforts. We are conducting these compliance reviews in a number of other countries selected to represent each of the Company’s four other international geographic segments. The internal investigation and compliance reviews are focused on reviewing certain expenses and books and records processes, including, but not limited to, travel, entertainment, gifts, use of third party vendors and consultants and related due diligence, joint ventures and acquisitions, and payments to third-party agents and others, in connection with our business dealings, directly or indirectly, with foreign governments and their employees. The internal investigation and compliance reviews of these matters are ongoing, and we continue to cooperate with both agencies with respect to these matters. At this point we are unable to predict the duration, scope, developments in, results of, or consequences of the internal investigation and compliance reviews.

Any determination that our operations or activities, including our licenses or permits, importing or exporting, or product testing or approvals are not in compliance with existing laws or regulations could result in the imposition of substantial fines, civil and criminal penalties, interruptions of business, modification of business practices and compliance programs, equitable remedies, including disgorgement, injunctive relief and other sanctions that we may take against our personnel or that may be taken against us or our personnel. In addition, pending the outcome of these matters, certain personnel actions have been taken, including the placing of the Senior Vice President, Western Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific and China on administrative leave in connection with the internal investigation relating to our China operations, and additional personnel actions may be taken in the future. Further, other countries in which we do business may initiate their own investigations and impose similar sanctions. Because the internal investigation and compliance reviews are ongoing, there can be no assurance as to how the resulting consequences, if any, may impact our internal controls, business, reputation, results of operations or financial condition.

Significant changes in pension fund investment performance, assumptions relating to pension costs or required legal changes in pension funding rules may have a material effect on the valuation of pension obligations, the funded status of pension plans and our pension cost.

Our funding policy for pension plans is to accumulate plan assets that, over the long run, will approximate the present value of projected benefit obligations. Our pension cost is materially affected by the discount rate used to measure pension obligations, the level of plan assets available to fund those obligations at the measurement date and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. Significant changes in investment performance or a change in the portfolio mix of invested assets can result in corresponding increases and decreases in the valuation of plan assets, particularly equity securities, or in a change of the expected rate of return on plan assets. A change in the discount rate would result in a significant increase or decrease in the valuation of pension obligations, affecting the reported funded status of our pension plans as well as the net periodic pension cost in the following fiscal years. Similarly, changes in the expected return on plan assets can result in significant changes in the net periodic pension cost of the following fiscal years. Finally, recent pension funding requirements under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, such as pension funding obligations and limitations on a hybrid plan’s interest crediting rate to the “market rate of return”, may result in a significant increase or decrease in the valuation of pension obligations affecting the reported funded status of our pension plans.

 

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The market price of our common stock could be subject to fluctuations as a result of many factors.

Factors that could affect the trading price of our common stock include the following:

 

   

variations in operating results;

 

   

economic conditions and volatility in the financial markets;

 

   

announcements or significant developments in connection with our business and with respect to beauty and related products or the beauty industry in general;

 

   

actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly or annual financial results;

 

   

governmental policies and regulations;

 

   

estimates of our future performance or that of our competitors or our industries;

 

   

general economic, political, and market conditions;

 

   

market rumors; and

 

   

factors relating to competitors.

The trading price of our common stock has been, and could in the future continue to be, subject to significant fluctuations.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our principal properties worldwide consist of manufacturing facilities for the production of Beauty products, distribution centers where offices are located and where finished merchandise is packed and shipped to Representatives in fulfillment of their orders, and one principal research and development facility. Our domestic manufacturing facilities are located in Morton Grove, IL and Springdale, OH. Our domestic distribution centers are located in Atlanta, GA; Zanesville, OH; and Pasadena, CA. Our research and development facility is located in Suffern, NY. We also lease office space in three locations in New York City and own property in Rye, NY, for our executive and administrative offices. In early 2010, we entered into a lease for a new office location in New York City that as of June, 2011 is expected to replace one of the existing New York City office locations on more favorable terms.

In 2010 Avon acquired Silpada Designs, Inc., a direct seller of sterling silver jewelry with operations in the United States including an office and warehouse in Lenexa, Kansas.

Other principal properties outside the U.S. measuring 50,000 square feet or more include the following:

 

   

two distribution centers for primary use in North America operations (other than in the U.S.);

 

   

four manufacturing facilities, eleven distribution centers and two administrative offices in Latin America;

 

   

three manufacturing facilities in Europe, primarily servicing Western Europe, Middle East & Africa and Central & Eastern Europe;

 

   

six distribution centers and three administrative offices in Western Europe, Middle East & Africa;

 

   

four distribution centers and two administrative offices in Central & Eastern Europe;

 

   

four manufacturing facilities, four distribution centers, and two administrative offices in Asia Pacific; and

 

   

two manufacturing facilities and six distribution centers in China.

Of all the properties listed above, 33 are owned and the remaining 38 are leased. Many of our properties are used for a combination of manufacturing, distribution and administration. These properties are included in the above listing based on primary usage.

We consider all of these properties to be in good repair, to adequately meet our needs and to operate at reasonable levels of productive capacity.

In January 2007, we announced plans to realign certain North America distribution operations. This initiative included the building of a new distribution center in Zanesville, OH, which we opened in 2009. We have closed our distribution branch in Newark, DE. Additionally, we closed our distribution branch in Glenview, IL in mid-2010. Both properties are listed for sale.

 

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In January 2008, we announced plans to realign certain Latin America distribution and manufacturing operations. We are building a new distribution center in Brazil that is expected to open in 2011. We will phase-out our current distribution center in Sao Paulo, Brazil during 2011. In addition, we are opening a new distribution center in Colombia during 2011. During 2008, we transferred production from our manufacturing facility in Guatemala to our facility in Mexico.

In July 2009, we announced plans to realign manufacturing operations in North America and Europe. This initiative includes the closing of manufacturing facilities in Springdale, OH in 2012 and the sale of the property in Germany.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Reference is made to Note 16, Contingencies, on page F-40 through F-41 of our 2010 Annual Report.

ITEM 4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

 

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market for Avon’s Common Stock

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the AVP ticker symbol. At December 31, 2010, there were approximately 16,549 holders of record of our common stock. We believe that there are many additional shareholders who are not “shareholders of record” but who beneficially own and vote shares through nominee holders such as brokers and benefit plan trustees. High and low market prices and dividends per share of our common stock, in dollars, for 2010 and 2009 are listed below. For information regarding future dividends on our common stock, see the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section within MD&A on pages 40 through 43.

 

     2010      2009  

Quarter

   High      Low      Dividends
Declared
and Paid
     High      Low      Dividends
Declared
and Paid
 

First

   $ 34.14       $ 29.21       $ .22       $ 25.10       $ 15.20       $ .21   

Second

     34.76         25.73         .22         27.59         19.37         .21   

Third

     32.87         26.46         .22         33.96         25.11         .21   

Fourth

     35.49         28.56         .22         36.12         31.45         .21   

Stock Performance Graph

LOGO

 

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Assumed $100 invested on December 31, 2005, in Avon’s common stock, the S&P 500 Index and the Industry Composite. The dollar amounts indicated in the graph above and in the chart below are as of December 31 or the last trading day in the year indicated.

 

     2005      2006      2007      2008      2009      2010  

Avon

     100.00         118.45         144.53         90.03         121.69         115.69   

S&P 500

     100.00         115.80         122.16         76.96         97.33         111.99   

Industry Composite(2)

     100.00         114.74         132.38         113.72         122.76         133.31   

 

(1)

Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends at the closing price at the end of each quarter.

(2)

The Industry Composite includes Alberto-Culver, Clorox, Colgate–Palmolive, Estée Lauder, Kimberly Clark, Procter & Gamble and Revlon.

The Stock Performance Graph shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, it shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any statement that incorporates this annual report on Form 10-K by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table provides information about our purchases of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2010:

 

     Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)
     Average Price
Paid per Share
     Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Programs (2)
     Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Program
 

10/1/10 – 10/31/10

     34,389       $ 32.02         —         $ 1,819,774,000   

11/1/10 – 11/30/10

     885         30.22         —           1,819,774,000   

12/1/10 – 12/31/10

     —           —           —           1,819,774,000   
                             

Total

     35,274         31.97         —        
                       

 

(1)

Consists of shares that were repurchased by us in connection with employee elections to use shares to pay withholding taxes upon the vesting of their restricted stock units.

(2)

There were no shares purchased during the fourth quarter of 2010 as part of our $2.0 billion share repurchase program, publicly announced on October 11, 2007. The program commenced on December 17, 2007, and is scheduled to expire on December 17, 2012.

 

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(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

We derived the following selected financial data from our audited consolidated financial statements. The following data should be read in conjunction with our MD&A and our Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes.

 

     2010      2009      2008      2007 (1)      2006  

Income Data

              

Total revenue

   $ 10,862.8       $ 10,205.2       $ 10,507.5       $ 9,759.3       $ 8,571.0   

Operating profit (2)

     1,073.2         1,005.6         1,324.5         874.7         757.7   

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

     595.2         619.2         882.5         533.2         473.1   

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

   $ 1.36       $ 1.43       $ 2.03       $ 1.21       $ 1.07   

Cash dividends per share

   $ 0.88       $ 0.84       $ 0.80       $ 0.74       $ 0.70   

Balance Sheet Data

              

Total assets

   $ 7,873.7       $ 6,823.4       $ 6,074.0       $ 5,716.2       $ 5,072.2   

Debt maturing within one year

     727.6         137.8         1,030.7         929.4         615.5   

Long-term debt

     2,408.6         2,307.2         1,456.0         1,167.7         1,170.5   

Total debt

     3,136.2         2,445.0         2,486.7         2,097.1         1,786.0   

Total shareholders’ equity

     1,672.6         1,312.6         712.3         749.8         827.4   

 

(1)

In 2007, we recorded a decrease of $18.3 to shareholders’ equity from the initial adoption of the provisions for recognizing and measuring tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return that affect amounts reported in the financial statements as required by the Income Taxes Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”).

(2)

A number of items, shown below, impact the comparability of our operating profit. See Latin America Segment review on page 32-34 and Note 15, Restructuring Initiatives, to this 2010 Annual Report for more information on these items

 

     2010      2009      2008     2007      2006  

Costs to implement restructuring initiatives related to our multi-year restructuring programs

   $ 80.7       $ 170.9       $ 59.3      $ 157.5       $ 217.1   

Inventory obsolescence expense (benefit) related to our product line simplification program

     —           —           (13.0     167.3         72.6   

Venezuelan special items (3)

     81.0         —           —          —           —     

 

(3)

During 2010, our operating margin was negatively impacted by the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency coupled with a required change to account for operations in Venezuela on a highly inflationary basis. As a result of using the historic dollar cost basis of nonmonetary assets, such as inventory, acquired prior to the devaluation, during 2010 operating profit was negatively impacted by $81 for the difference between the historical cost at the previous official exchange rate of 2.15 and the new official exchange rate of 4.30. In addition to the negative impact to operating profit, during 2010 we also recorded net charges of $46.1 in “Other expense, net” and $12.7 in “income taxes”, reflecting the write-down of monetary assets and liabilities and deferred tax benefits. See discussion of Venezuela within the “Segment Review - Latin America” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more information.

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion of the results of operations and financial condition of Avon Products, Inc. and its majority and wholly owned subsidiaries in conjunction with the information contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes. When used in this discussion, the terms “Avon,” “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” mean, unless the context otherwise indicates, Avon Products, Inc. and its majority and wholly owned subsidiaries.

Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 24 of this 2010 Annual Report for a description of how Constant dollar (“Constant $”) growth rates (a Non-GAAP financial measure) are determined.

Overview

We are a global manufacturer and marketer of beauty and related products. Our business is conducted worldwide, primarily in the direct selling channel. We presently have sales operations in 64 countries and territories, including the U.S., and distribute products in 41 more. Our reportable segments are based on geographic operations in six regions: Latin America; North America; Central & Eastern Europe; Western Europe, Middle East & Africa; Asia Pacific; and China. We have centralized operations for Global Brand Marketing, Global Sales and Supply Chain. Our product categories are Beauty, Fashion and Home. Beauty consists of color cosmetics, fragrances, skin care and personal care. Fashion consists of fashion jewelry, watches, apparel, footwear, accessories and children’s products. Home consists of gift and decorative products, housewares, entertainment and leisure products and nutritional products. Sales are made to the ultimate consumer principally through direct selling by approximately 6.5 million active independent Representatives, who are independent contractors and not our employees. The success of our business is highly dependent on recruiting, retaining and servicing our Representatives. During 2010, approximately 83% of our consolidated revenue was derived from operations outside the U.S.

During 2010, revenues increased 6%, favorably impacted by growth in Active Representatives. Constant $ revenues also increased 6%. Acquisitions benefited full-year revenue growth by approximately 1%. Sales from products in the Beauty category increased 6%, also 6% on a Constant $ basis, due to a 1% increase in units and 5% increase in net per unit. Active Representatives increased 4%.

Following strong performance during the first half of 2010, revenue growth softened during the second half of the year. The first half of 2010 realized revenue growth of 11%, or 8% on a Constant $ basis, with operating margin expansion of 150 basis points, or 90 basis points improvement on an adjusted Non-GAAP basis, which excludes costs to implement restructuring initiatives and Venezuelan special items. The second half of 2010 realized revenue growth of 3%, or 6% on a Constant $ basis, with acquisitions benefiting the growth by 3%. This slowdown of organic revenue growth pressured operating margins. Revenue growth in the second half of 2010 was negatively impacted by a slowdown in two of our largest and most profitable markets, Brazil and Russia.

Brazil’s performance in the second half of 2010 was primarily driven by service disruptions resulting in shorting of products. Brazil’s revenue grew 38% and 9% during the first half and second half of 2010, respectively, with Constant $ revenue growth rates of 13% in the first half and 4% in the second half. The mid-year implementation of government mandated e-invoicing exacerbated our legacy order processing systems and capacity which have also been pressured by a significant increase in order scale in recent years.

Russia’s revenue grew 26% in the first half of 2010, but was flat during the second half, with Constant $ growth rates of 14% in the first half and 2% in the second half. Russia’s performance in the second half of 2010 was primarily a result of slowing field growth due to weak incentives. Increases in social benefit taxes levied against certain Representatives exacerbated the slowdown in field growth. In Russia, weaker color and skincare performance negatively impacted revenue growth in the second half of 2010.

See the “Segment Review” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information related to changes in revenue by segment.

During 2010, our operating margin was negatively impacted by the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency coupled with a required change to account for operations in Venezuela on a highly inflationary basis. As a result of using the historic dollar cost basis of nonmonetary assets, such as inventory, acquired prior to the devaluation, during 2010 operating profit was negatively impacted by $81 for the difference between the historical cost at the previous official exchange rate of 2.15 and the new official exchange rate of 4.30.

 

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In addition to the negative impact to operating margin discussed above, as a result of the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency coupled with a required change to account for operations in Venezuela on a highly inflationary basis, during the first quarter of 2010 we also recorded net charges of $46.1 in “Other expense, net” and $12.7 in “income taxes”, reflecting the write-down of monetary assets and liabilities and deferred tax benefits. See discussion of Venezuela within the “Segment Review - Latin America” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more information.

We believe that our operating cash flow and global cash and cash equivalent balances of approximately $1.2 billion, coupled with the continuing execution of our turnaround strategies and the competitive advantages of our direct selling business model, will allow us to continue our focus on long-term sustainable, profitable growth. We are also focused on innovating our direct selling channel through technological and service model enhancements for our Representatives and assessing new product category opportunities.

In July 2010, we purchased substantially all the assets and liabilities of Silpada, a direct seller of jewelry products, primarily in North America, for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $650. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we may be required to pay additional consideration in 2015 if Silpada’s North America business achieves specific earnings targets. In March 2010, we acquired Liz Earle Beauty Co. Limited (“Liz Earle”). The acquired business is included in our Western Europe, Middle East & Africa operating segment.

In December 2010, we completed the sale of our subsidiary in Japan, which has been reflected as discontinued operations for all periods.

Strategic Initiatives

At the end of 2005, we launched a comprehensive, multi-year turnaround plan to restore sustainable growth. As part of the turnaround plan, we launched our PLS and SSI Programs. Since 2005, we have identified, and in many cases implemented, restructuring initiatives under our 2005 and 2009 Restructuring Programs. We continue to implement certain initiatives under these restructuring programs. The anticipated savings or benefits realized from these initiatives has funded and will continue to fund our investment in, amongst other things, advertising, market intelligence, consumer research and product innovation. Whenever we refer to annualized savings or annualized benefits, we mean the additional operating profit we expect to realize on a full-year basis every year following implementation of the respective initiative as compared with the operating profit we would have expected to achieve without having implemented the initiative.

Advertising and Representative Value Proposition (“RVP”)

Investing in advertising is a key strategy. We significantly increased spending on advertising over the past four years. During 2010, our investment in advertising increased by $48 or 14% and as a percentage of Beauty sales, our investment in advertising increased by 5% compared to 2009. The advertising investments supported new product launches, such as UCR Mega Impact Lipstick, Super Extend Mascara, Eternal Magic Fragrance, Outspoken by Fergie Fragrance, Anew Platinum Night Cream and Serum, Anew Luminosity-Pro Serum, and Advance Technique Lotus Shield. Advertising investments also included advertising to recruit Representatives. We have also continued to forge alliances with celebrities, including an alliance with Fergie for her Outspoken fragrance.

We continued to invest in our direct-selling channel to improve the reward and effort equation for our Representatives. We have committed significant investments for extensive research to determine the payback on advertising and field tools and actions, and the optimal balance of these tools and actions in our markets. We have allocated these significant investments in proprietary direct selling analytics to better understand the drivers of value for our Representatives. We measure our investment in RVP as the incremental cost to provide these value-enhancing initiatives. During 2010, we invested approximately $83 incrementally in our Representatives through RVP by continued implementation of our Sales Leadership program, enhanced incentives, increased sales campaign frequency, improved commissions and new e-business tools. Investing in RVP will continue to be a key strategy. We will continue to look for ways to improve the earnings opportunity for Representatives through various means, including the following:

 

   

Evaluating optimum discount structures in select markets;

 

   

Continuing the roll-out of our Sales Leadership Program, which offers Representatives an enhanced career opportunity;

 

   

Strategically examining the fee structure and brochure costs to enhance Representative economics;

 

   

Recalibrating the frequency of campaigns to maximize Representative selling opportunities;

 

   

Service Model Transformation initiatives;

 

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Applying the optimal balance of advertising and field investment in our key markets; and

 

   

Web enablement for Representatives including on-line training enhancements.

While the reward and effort will be different within our global portfolio of businesses, we believe that web enablement is a key element to reduce Representative effort worldwide. We will continue to focus on improving Internet-based tools for our Representatives.

Product Line Simplification

During 2006, we began to analyze our product line, under our PLS program, to develop a smaller range of better performing, more profitable products. The continued goal of PLS is to identify an improved product assortment to drive higher sales of more profitable products. During 2007, we completed the analysis of our product portfolio, determined the appropriate product assortment going forward and made decisions regarding the ultimate disposition of products that will no longer be part of our improved product assortment (such as selling at a discount, donation, or destruction).

Sales and marketing benefits have accounted for most of our estimated projected benefits. Improving our product assortment has allowed, and will continue to allow us, to increase exposure and improve presentation of the remaining products within our brochure, which is expected to yield more pleasurable consumer shopping experiences, easier Representative selling experiences, and greater sales per brochure page. A second source of benefits from PLS results from “transferable demand.” Transferable demand refers to the concept that when products with redundant characteristics are removed from our product assortment, some demand from the eliminated products will transfer to the remaining products that offer similar or comparable product characteristics. As part of PLS, when we have identified products that have sufficient overlap of characteristics, we have eliminated the products with the lowest profitability and we expect the products that we retain will generate more profit. A third source of benefits from PLS is less price discounting. As we have implemented operating procedures under PLS, we have introduced fewer new products and lengthened the life cycle of products in our offering. We expect these operating procedures will lead to less aggressive price discounting over a product’s life cycle.

In addition to the benefits above, supply chain benefits accounted for some of our estimated benefits. We expect improvements to cost of sales once PLS is fully implemented, primarily from a reduction in inventory obsolescence expense as a result of better managed inventory levels, lower variable spending on warehousing, more efficient manufacturing utilization and lower purchasing costs. We also expect operating expenses to benefit from a reduction in distribution costs and benefits to inventory productivity.

Given the nature of these benefits, we estimate that we realized our targeted total benefits from this program of approximately $40 during 2008, $120 during 2009 and approximately $200 in 2010, or incremental benefits of approximately $80 over 2009.

Strategic Sourcing Initiative

We launched SSI in 2007. We believe this initiative has reduced direct and indirect costs of materials, goods and services. Under this initiative, we have shifted our purchasing strategy from a local, commodity-oriented approach towards a globally-coordinated effort which leverages our volumes, allows our suppliers to benefit from economies of scale, utilizes sourcing best practices and processes, and better matches our suppliers’ capabilities with our needs. Beyond lower costs, our goals from SSI include improving asset management, service for Representatives and vendor relationships. During 2008, we realized benefits of approximately $135 from SSI. During 2009, we realized approximately $200 of benefits from SSI, or incremental benefits of approximately $65 over 2008. During 2010, we realized approximately $300 of benefits from SSI, or incremental benefits of approximately $100 over the benefits realized in 2009.

We continue to implement a Sales and Operations Planning process that is intended to better align demand plans with our supply capabilities and provide us with earlier visibility to any potential supply issues.

Enterprise Resource Planning System

We are in the midst of a multi-year global roll-out of an enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system, which is expected to improve the efficiency of our supply chain and financial transaction processes. We began our gradual global roll-out in Europe in 2005 and have since implemented ERP in our European manufacturing facilities, our larger European direct selling operations and in the U.S. As part of this continuing global roll-out, we expect to implement ERP in other countries over the next several years leveraging the knowledge gained from our previous implementations.

 

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During 2008, we worked to improve the effectiveness of ERP in the U.S. and began to implement in the other markets within North America, as well as in some smaller European direct selling operations. In Latin America, we plan to implement modules of ERP in a gradual manner across key markets over the next several years.

Zero-Overhead-Growth

We have institutionalized a zero-overhead-growth philosophy that aims to offset inflation through productivity improvements. These improvements in productivity will come primarily from SSI and our restructuring initiatives. We have defined overhead as fixed expenses such as costs associated with our sales and marketing infrastructure, and management and administrative activities. Overhead excludes variable expenses within selling, general and administrative expenses, such as shipping and handling costs and bonuses to our employees in the sales organization, and also excludes consumer and strategic investments that are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, such as advertising, RVP, research and development and brochure costs.

Restructuring Initiatives

2005 Restructuring Program

We launched our original restructuring program under our multi-year turnaround plan in late 2005. We have approved and announced all of the initiatives that are part of the 2005 Restructuring Program. We expect to record total restructuring charges and other costs to implement restructuring initiatives under this program of approximately $519 before taxes. Through December 31, 2010, we have recorded total costs to implement, net of adjustments, of $513.7 ($3.2 in 2010, $20.1 in 2009, $59.3 in 2008, $157.5 in 2007, $217.1 in 2006 and $56.5 in 2005) for actions associated with our restructuring initiatives under the 2005 Restructuring Program, primarily for employee-related costs, including severance, pension and other termination benefits, and professional service fees related to these initiatives.

The costs to implement restructuring initiatives during 2005 through 2010 are associated with specific actions, including:

 

   

organization realignment and downsizing in each region and global through a process called “delayering,” taking out layers to bring senior management closer to operations;

 

   

the phased outsourcing of certain services, including certain finance, information technology, human resource and customer service processes, and the move of certain services from markets to lower cost shared service centers;

 

   

the restructure of certain international direct-selling operations;

 

   

the realignment of certain distribution and manufacturing operations, including the realignment of certain of our North America and Latin America distribution operations;

 

   

the automation of certain distribution processes;

 

   

the exit of certain unprofitable operations and product lines; and

 

   

the reorganization of certain functions, primarily sales-related organizations.

Actions implemented under these restructuring initiatives resulted in savings of approximately $350 in 2010, $300 in 2009, and $270 in 2008. We expect to achieve annualized savings of approximately $430 once all initiatives are fully implemented by 2011-2012.

2009 Restructuring Program

In February 2009, we announced a new restructuring program under our multi-year turnaround plan. We have approved and announced all of the initiatives that are of the 2009 Restructuring Program. The restructuring initiatives under the 2009 Restructuring Program focus on restructuring our global supply chain operations, realigning certain local business support functions to a more regional basis to drive increased efficiencies, streamlining transaction-related services, including selective outsourcing, and reorganizing certain other functions. We expect to record total restructuring charges and other costs to implement these restructuring initiatives in the range of approximately $300 to $310 before taxes under the 2009 Restructuring Program. Through December 31, 2010, we have recorded total costs to implement, net of adjustments, of $228.3 ($77.5 in 2010, and $150.8 in 2009) for actions associated with our restructuring initiatives, primarily for employee-related costs, including severance, pension and other termination benefits, and professional service fees related to these initiatives. Actions implemented under these restructuring initiatives resulted in savings of approximately $15 in 2009. We achieved savings of approximately $80 in 2010. We are targeting annualized savings under the 2009 Restructuring Program of approximately $200 upon full implementation by 2012-2013.

See Note 15, Restructuring Initiatives, on pages F-35 through F-39 of our 2010 Annual Report.

 

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On an overall basis, we estimate that we have realized approximately $500 of benefits from PLS and SSI and $430 of savings from our two restructuring programs since the inception of our multi-year turnaround plan in 2005. These savings have been offset by approximately $650 of investments in advertising and RVP.

New Accounting Standards

Information relating to new accounting standards is included in Note 2, New Accounting Standards, of our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2010 Annual Report.

Key Performance Indicators

Within this MD&A, we utilize the key performance indicators (“KPIs”) defined below to assist in the evaluation of our business.

 

KPI

  

Definition

Growth in Active Representatives    This indicator is based on the number of Representatives submitting an order in a campaign, totaled for all campaigns in the related period. This amount is divided by the number of billing days in the related period, to exclude the impact of year-to-year changes in billing days (for example, holiday schedules). To determine the growth in Active Representatives, this calculation is compared to the same calculation in the corresponding period of the prior year.
Change in Units    This indicator is based on the gross number of pieces of merchandise sold during a period, as compared to the same number in the same period of the prior year. Units sold include samples sold and product contingent upon the purchase of another product (for example, gift with purchase or purchase with purchase), but exclude free samples.
Inventory Days    This indicator is equal to the number of days of cost of sales, based on the average of the preceding 12 months, covered by the inventory balance at the end of the period.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we disclose operating results that have been adjusted to exclude the impact of changes due to the translation of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars. We refer to these adjusted growth rates as Constant $ growth, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe this measure provides investors an additional perspective on trends. To exclude the impact of changes due to the translation of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, we calculate current year results and prior year results at a constant exchange rate. Currency impact is determined as the difference between actual growth rates and constant currency growth rates.

We present gross margin, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue, operating profit, operating margin and effective tax rate on a non-GAAP basis. The discussion of our segments presents operating profit and operating margin on a non-GAAP basis. We have provided a quantitative reconciliation of the difference between the non-GAAP financial measure and the financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses the non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its operating performance and believes that it is meaningful for investors to be made aware of, on a period to period basis, the impacts of 1) costs to implement (“CTI”) restructuring initiatives and 2) costs and charges related to Venezuela being designated as a highly inflationary economy and the subsequent devaluation of its currency in January 2010 (“Venezuelan special items”). The Venezuelan special items include the impact on the Statement of Income caused by the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency on monetary assets and liabilities, such as cash, receivables and payables; deferred tax assets and liabilities; and nonmonetary assets, such as inventory and prepaid expenses. For nonmonetary assets, the Venezuelan special items include the earnings impact caused by the difference between the historical cost of the assets at the previous official exchange rate of 2.15 and the revised official exchange rate of 4.30.

 

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Critical Accounting Estimates

We believe the accounting policies described below represent our critical accounting policies due to the estimation processes involved in each. See Note 1, Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of our consolidated financial statements contained in this 2010 Annual Report for a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies.

Restructuring Reserves

We record severance-related expenses once they are both probable and estimable for severance provided under an ongoing benefit arrangement. One-time, involuntary benefit arrangements and disposal costs, primarily contract termination costs, are recorded when the benefits have been communicated to employees. One-time, voluntary benefit arrangements are recorded when the employee accepts the offered benefit arrangement. We evaluate impairment issues if the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable and exceeds the fair value of the asset.

We estimate the expense for our restructuring initiatives, when approved by the appropriate corporate authority, by accumulating detailed estimates of costs for such plans. These expenses include the estimated costs of employee severance and related benefits, impairment of property, plant and equipment, contract termination payments for leases, and any other qualifying exit costs. These estimated costs are grouped by specific projects within the overall plan and are then monitored on a quarterly basis by finance personnel. Such costs represent our best estimate, but require assumptions about the programs that may change over time, including attrition rates. Estimates are evaluated periodically to determine if an adjustment is required.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

Representatives contact their customers, selling primarily through the use of brochures for each sales campaign. Sales campaigns are generally for a two-week duration in the U.S. and a two- to four-week duration outside the U.S. The Representative purchases products directly from us and may or may not sell them to an end user. In general, the Representative, an independent contractor, remits a payment to us each sales campaign, which relates to the prior campaign cycle. The Representative is generally precluded from submitting an order for the current sales campaign until the accounts receivable balance for the prior campaign is paid; however, there are circumstances where the Representative fails to make the required payment. We record an estimate of an allowance for doubtful accounts on receivable balances based on an analysis of historical data and current circumstances, including selling schedules, business operations, seasonality and changing trends. Over the past three years, annual bad debt expense has been in the range of $195 to $222, or approximately 2.0% of total revenue. Bad debt expense, as a percent of revenue decreased by .2 points in 2010 as compared to 2009 due to improved collection efforts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed for adequacy, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis. We generally have no detailed information concerning, or any communication with, any end user of our products beyond the Representative. We have no legal recourse against the end user for the collectability of any accounts receivable balances due from the Representative to us. If the financial condition of our Representatives were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Allowances for Sales Returns

We record a provision for estimated sales returns based on historical experience with product returns. Over the past three years, sales returns have been in the range of $365 to $425, or approximately 3.7% of total revenue. If the historical data we use to calculate these estimates does not approximate future returns, due to changes in marketing or promotional strategies, or for other reasons, additional allowances may be required.

Provisions for Inventory Obsolescence

We record an allowance for estimated obsolescence equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value. In determining the allowance for estimated obsolescence, we classify inventory into various categories based upon its stage in the product life cycle, future marketing sales plans and the disposition process. We assign a degree of obsolescence risk to products based on this classification to determine the level of obsolescence provision. If actual sales are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory allowances may need to be recorded for such additional obsolescence. Annual obsolescence expense was $131.1 for 2010, $120.0 for 2009, and $79.4 for 2008. Obsolescence expense for 2008 benefited by approximately $13 from changes in estimates to our disposition plan under our PLS program.

Pension, Postretirement and Postemployment Expense

We maintain defined benefit pension plans, which cover substantially all employees in the U.S. and a portion of employees in international locations. Additionally, we have unfunded supplemental pension benefit plans for some current and retired executives and provide retiree health care and life insurance benefits subject to certain limitations to the majority of employees in the U.S. and in some foreign countries. See Note 12, Employee Benefit Plans, to our 2010 Annual Report for further information on our benefit plans.

 

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Pension plan expense and the requirements for funding our major pension plans are determined based on a number of actuarial assumptions. These assumptions include the expected rate of return on pension plan assets, the interest crediting rate for hybrid plans and the discount rate applied to pension plan obligations.

For 2010, the weighted average assumed rate of return on all pension plan assets, including the U.S. and non-U.S. plans was 7.65%, compared to 7.60% for 2009. In determining the long-term rates of return, we consider the nature of the plans’ investments, an expectation for the plans’ investment strategies, historical rates of return and current economic forecasts. We evaluate the expected long-term rate of return annually and adjust as necessary.

The majority of our pension plan assets relate to the U.S. pension plan. The assumed rate of return for 2010 for the U.S. plan was 8%, which was based on an asset allocation of approximately 40% in corporate and government bonds and mortgage-backed securities (which are expected to earn approximately 4% to 6% in the long term) and 60% in equity securities and high yield securities (which are expected to earn approximately 7% to 10% in the long term). Historical rates of return on the assets of the U.S. plan was 5.09% for the most recent 10-year period and 8.75% for the 20-year period. In the U.S. plan, our asset allocation policy has favored U.S. equity securities, which have returned 2.6% over the 10-year period and 9.5% over the 20-year period. The plan assets in the U.S. returned 14.0% in 2010 and 24.6% in 2009.

Recently issued regulations under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 require that hybrid plans limit the maximum interest crediting rate to one among several choices of crediting rates which are considered “market rates of return”. The rate chosen will affect total pension obligations. The discount rate used for determining future pension obligations for each individual plan is based on a review of long-term bonds that receive a high-quality rating from a recognized rating agency. The discount rates for our more significant plans, including our U.S. plan, were based on the internal rates of return for a portfolio of high quality bonds with maturities that are consistent with the projected future benefit payment obligations of each plan. The weighted-average discount rate for U.S. and non-U.S. plans determined on this basis was 5.21% at December 31, 2010, and 5.70% at December 31, 2009. For the determination of the expected rate of return on assets and the discount rate, we take into consideration external actuarial advice.

Our funding requirements may be impacted by regulations or interpretations thereof. Our calculations of pension, postretirement and postemployment costs are dependent on the use of assumptions, including discount rates, hybrid plan maximum interest crediting rates and expected return on plan assets discussed above, rate of compensation increase of plan participants, interest cost, health care cost trend rates, benefits earned, mortality rates, the number of associate retirements, the number of associates electing to take lump-sum payments and other factors. Actual results that differ from assumptions are accumulated and amortized to expense over future periods and, therefore, generally affect recognized expense in future periods. At December 31, 2010, we had pretax actuarial losses and prior service credits totaling $422.0 for the U.S. plans and $241.2 for the non-U.S. plans that have not yet been charged to expense. These actuarial losses have been charged to accumulated other comprehensive loss within shareholders’ equity. While we believe that the assumptions used are reasonable, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may materially affect our pension, postretirement and postemployment obligations and future expense. During 2008, the plan assets experienced significant losses, which were mostly due to unfavorable returns on equity securities. These unfavorable returns will increase pension cost in future periods. For 2011, our assumption for the expected rate of return on assets is 8.0% for our U.S. plans and 7.31% for our non-U.S. plans. Our assumptions are reviewed and determined on an annual basis.

A 50 basis point change (in either direction) in the expected rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate or the rate of compensation increases, would have had approximately the following effect on 2010 pension expense:

 

     Increase/(Decrease) in
Pension Expense
 
     50 Basis Point  
     Increase     Decrease  

Rate of return on assets

     (5     5   

Discount rate

     (8     8   

Rate of compensation increase

     1        (1

Taxes

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. While we have considered projected future taxable income and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize a net deferred tax asset in the future, in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase earnings in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we would not be able to

 

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realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would decrease earnings in the period such determination was made. Deferred taxes are not provided on the portion of unremitted earnings of subsidiaries outside of the U.S. when we conclude that these earnings are indefinitely reinvested. Deferred taxes are provided on earnings not considered indefinitely reinvested.

We establish additional provisions for income taxes when, despite the belief that our tax positions are fully supportable, there remain some positions that are likely to be challenged and may or may not be sustained on review by tax authorities. We adjust these additional accruals in light of changing facts and circumstances. We file income tax returns in many jurisdictions. In 2011, a number of open tax years are scheduled to close due to the expiration of the statute of limitations and it is possible that a number of tax examinations may be completed. If our filing positions are ultimately upheld, it is possible that the 2011 provision for income taxes may reflect adjustments

We recognize the benefit of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. We believe that our assessment of more likely than not is reasonable, but because of the subjectivity involved and the unpredictable nature of the subject matter at issue, our assessment may prove ultimately to be incorrect, which could materially impact the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Share-based Compensation

Stock options issued to employees are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements based on their fair values using an option-pricing model at the date of grant. We use a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to calculate the fair value of options. This model requires various judgmental assumptions including volatility, forfeiture rates and expected option life. If any of the assumptions used in the model change significantly, share-based compensation may differ materially in the future from historical results.

Loss Contingencies

We determine whether to disclose and accrue for loss contingencies based on an assessment of whether the risk of loss is remote, reasonably possible or probable. Our assessment is developed in consultation with our outside counsel and other advisors and is based on an analysis of possible outcomes under various strategies. Loss contingency assumptions involve judgments that are inherently subjective and can involve matters that are in litigation, which, by its nature is unpredictable. We believe that our assessment of the probability of loss contingencies is reasonable, but because of the subjectivity involved and the unpredictable nature of the subject matter at issue, our assessment may prove ultimately to be incorrect, which could materially impact the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill and Other Identified Intangible Assets

We test goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment annually, and more frequently if circumstances warrant, using fair value methods. We review identified intangible assets with defined useful lives and subject to amortization for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We completed annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles impairment assessments and no adjustments were necessary for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 or 2008. Additionally, no events or changes in circumstances occurred that indicated that our intangible assets with defined useful lives may not be recoverable during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 or 2008. The asset impairment analyses performed for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles require several estimates including future cash flows, growth rates and the selection of discount rates. For our annual goodwill impairment test, the estimated fair value substantially exceeded the carrying values of each of our reporting units, with the exception of Silpada where the estimated fair value was similar to the carrying value, since this reporting unit was only recently acquired. See Note 17, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, to our 2010 Annual Report for further information. A significant decline in expected future cash flows and growth rates or a change in the discount rate used to fair value expected future cash flows may result in a goodwill impairment charge.

 

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Results Of Continuing Operations - Consolidated

 

                          %/Point Change  
                          2010 vs.      2009 vs.  
     2010      2009      2008      2009      2008  

Total revenue

   $ 10,862.8       $ 10,205.2       $ 10,507.5         6%         (3)%   

Cost of sales

     4,041.3         3,825.5         3,883.9         6%         (2)%   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     5,748.4         5,374.1         5,299.1         7%         1%   
                                            

Operating profit

     1,073.1         1,005.6         1,324.5         7%         (24)%   
                                            

Interest expense

     87.1         104.8         100.4         (17)%         4%   

Interest income

     (14.0)         (20.2)         (37.1)         (31)%         (45)%   

Other expense, net

     54.7         7.3         38.2         *         *   

Net income attributable to Avon

   $ 606.3       $ 625.8       $ 875.3         (3)%         (46)%   
                                            

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Avon

   $ 1.39       $ 1.45       $ 2.03         (4)%         (29)%   

Advertising expenses(1)

   $ 400.4       $ 352.7       $ 390.5         14%         (10)%   

Gross margin

     62.8%         62.5%         63.0%         .3         .5   

CTI restructuring

     .1         .1         —           —           .1   

Venezuelan special items

     .6         —           —           .6      

Adjusted Non-GAAP gross margin

     63.5%         62.6%         63.1%         .9         .5   

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of total revenue

     52.9%         52.7%         50.4%         .2         2.3   

CTI restructuring

     (.7)         (1.6)         (.5)         .9         (1.1)   

Venezuelan special items

     (.1)         —           —           (.1)         —     

Adjusted Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of total revenue

     52.2%         51.0%         49.9%         1.2         1.1   

Operating profit

     1,073.1         1,005.6         1,324.5         7%         (24)%   

CTI restructuring

     80.7         171.0         59.3         

Venezuelan special items

     81.0         —           —           

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     1,234.8         1,176.6         1,383.8         5%         (15)%   

Operating margin

     9.9%         9.9%         12.6%         —           (2.7)   

CTI restructuring

     .7         1.7         .6         (1.0)         1.1   

Venezuelan special items

     .7         —           —           .7         —     

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     11.4%         11.5%         13.2%         (.1)         (1.7)   

Effective tax rate

     37.0%         32.2%         27.8%         4.8         4.4   

CTI restructuring

     .3         (2.2)         .3         2.5         (2.5)   

Venezuelan special items

     (5.6)         —           —           (5.6)         —     

Adjusted Non-GAAP effective tax rate

     31.7%         30.0%         28.1%         1.7         1.9   

Units sold

              1%         3%   

Active Representatives

              4%         10%   

 

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Amounts in the table above may not necessarily sum because the computations are made independently
* Calculation not meaningful
(1)

Advertising expenses are included within selling, general and administrative expenses.

Total Revenue

During 2010, total revenues increased 6%, favorably impacted by growth in Active Representatives. Constant $ revenues also increased 6%. Acquisitions of Silpada in late July, and Liz Earle in late March, contributed approximately 1 point to revenue growth. Active Representatives increased 4%.

On a category basis, the increase in revenue during 2010 was primarily driven by an increase of 6% in Beauty sales. Within the Beauty category, fragrance increased 11%, color cosmetics increased 7%, personal care increased 5% and skincare declined 3%. Fashion sales increased 11% and Home sales increased 3%. On a Constant $ basis, the Beauty category increased 6%. Within the Beauty category, Constant $ sales of fragrance increased 12%, color cosmetics increased 6%, personal care increased 5% and skincare declined 3%. Skincare growth rates benefited by 3 points from the Liz Earle acquisition. Constant $ sales of Fashion and Home increased 11% and 5%, respectively. Fashion growth rates benefited by 6 points from the Silpada acquisition.

As noted previously in our Overview section, strong revenue performance during the first half of 2010 was offset by a slowdown in revenue growth during the second half of the year. Our second half of 2010 revenue growth was negatively impacted by a slowdown in two of our largest markets, Brazil and Russia. Brazil’s performance in the second half of 2010 was primarily driven by service disruptions resulting in shorting of products. The mid-year implementation of government mandated e-invoicing exacerbated our legacy order processing systems and capacity which have also been pressured by a significant increase in order scale in recent years. Russia’s performance in the second half of 2010 was primarily a result of slowing field growth due to weak incentives. Increases in social benefit taxes levied against certain Representatives exacerbated the slowdown in field growth. In Russia, weaker color and skincare performance negatively impacted growth in the second half of 2010.

Total revenue decreased 3% in 2009, with unfavorable foreign exchange accounting for 9 percentage points of the revenue decline. Constant $ revenue increased 6%, with increases in all segments except North America and China. Active Representatives increased 10%.

On a category basis, Constant $ Beauty sales increased 7%, while Fashion increased 2% and Home increased 6%. Within the Beauty category, Constant $ sales of skincare was flat, fragrance increased 7%, personal care increased 8% and color cosmetics increased 15%. On a reported basis, the decrease in revenue for 2009 was primarily driven by a decrease of 3% in Beauty sales, with decreases in all sub-categories of Beauty except color cosmetics. Within the Beauty category, skincare declined 9%, fragrance declined 2%, personal care declined 2% and color cosmetics increased 3%. Fashion sales decreased 5% and Home sales decreased 2%.

For additional discussion of the changes in revenue by segment, see the “Segment Review” section of this MD&A.

Gross Margin

Gross margin for 2010, increased by .3 points. On a Non-GAAP basis, excluding the impact of the CTI restructuring and the Venezuelan special items, gross margin improved .9 points, reflecting benefits from manufacturing productivity gains, which include benefits from SSI, and the favorable impact of foreign exchange transactions.

Gross margin for 2009 decreased by 0.5 points. The unfavorable impact of foreign exchange transactions lowered gross margin by an estimated 1.7 points for 2009. A portion of this negative impact from foreign exchange transactions was offset by strong manufacturing productivity gains which included benefits from SSI and strategic price increases. 2008 gross margin included benefits of approximately $13 of reduced obsolescence from changes in estimates to our disposition plan under our PLS program.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2010 increased $374.3. The increase is primarily due to: higher advertising and RVP costs; significant professional and related fees associated with the FCPA investigation and compliance reviews described in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of approximately $95 (up approximately $59 from 2009); and higher volume related costs, such as distribution costs, partially offset by lower CTI from our restructuring initiatives. On an Adjusted Non-GAAP basis, excluding the impact of CTI restructuring and the Venezuelan special items, as a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses during 2010, increased by 1.2 points, due to higher advertising and RVP costs and the significant professional and related fees associated with the FCPA matters.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $75.0 during 2009 as compared to 2008, due to higher CTI from our restructuring initiatives. On an Adjusted Non-GAAP basis, excluding the impact of CTI restructuring, as a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses during 2009, increased by 1.1 points, due to professional and related fees associated with the FCPA investigation and compliance reviews, partially offset by lower advertising costs.

See the “Segment Review” section of MD&A for additional information related to changes in operating margin by segment.

Other Expenses

Interest expense during 2010 decreased by 17%, due to lower interest rates. Interest expense increased by 4% in 2009 as compared to 2008 due to increased borrowings, partially offset by lower interest rates. At December 31, 2010, we held interest-rate swap agreements that effectively converted approximately 74% of our outstanding long-term, fixed-rate borrowings to a variable interest rate based on LIBOR, as compared to 82% at December 31, 2009.

Interest income decreased in both 2010 and 2009, primarily due to lower interest rates.

Other expense, net for 2010, increased due to a $46.1 negative impact from the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency on monetary assets and liabilities in conjunction with highly inflationary accounting discussed further within the Latin America segment review. Other expense, net for 2009 was lower than during 2008 as a result of lower foreign exchange losses.

Effective Tax Rate

The effective tax rate for 2010 was 37.0%, compared to 32.2% for 2009 and 27.8% for 2008.

The effective tax rate for 2010 was unfavorably impacted by 5.6 points due to the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency in conjunction with highly inflationary accounting discussed further within the Latin America Segment review, partially offset by 2.1 points associated with benefits from audit settlements and statute expirations. The 2010 rate as compared to the 2009 rate was unfavorably impacted by 2.0 points resulting from the inability to establish deferred taxes on certain inflationary adjustments under highly inflationary accounting in 2010. The comparison was also negatively impacted by unfavorable changes in the earnings mix of international subsidiaries, offset by a lower tax cost associated with the repatriation of earnings.

The effective tax rate for 2009 was unfavorably impacted by 3.4 points from the establishment of a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets primarily as a result of restructuring activities, partially offset by 2.1 points from a reduction in a foreign tax liability. The 2009 rate as compared to the 2008 rate also included a higher tax cost associated with the repatriation of 2009 earnings, offset by favorable changes in the earnings mix of international subsidiaries.

The effective tax rate for 2008 was favorably impacted by 3.6 points due to an audit settlement.

 

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Segment Review

Below is an analysis of the key factors affecting revenue and operating profit by reportable segment for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010.

 

Years ended December 31

   2010     2009     2008  
     Total
Revenue
     Operating
Profit
    Total
Revenue
     Operating
Profit
    Total
Revenue
     Operating
Profit
 

Latin America

   $ 4,589.5       $ 604.7      $ 4,103.2       $ 647.9      $ 3,884.1       $ 690.3   

North America

     2,244.0         155.9        2,293.4         110.4        2,522.0         213.9   

Central & Eastern Europe

     1,585.8         297.8        1,500.1         244.9        1,719.5         346.2   

Western Europe, Middle East & Africa

     1,462.1         176.5        1,277.8         84.2        1,351.7         121.0   

Asia Pacific

     752.4         93.4        677.3         61.6        679.3         87.7   

China

     229.0         (10.8     353.4         20.1        350.9         17.7   
                                                   

Total from operations

     10,862.8         1,320.5        10,205.2         1,169.1        10,507.5         1,476.8   

Global and other expenses

     —           (244.4     —           (163.5     —           (152.3
                                                   

Total

   $ 10,862.8       $ 1,073.1      $ 10,205.2       $ 1,005.6      $ 10,507.5       $ 1,324.5   
                                                   

Global and other expenses include, among other things, costs related to our executive and administrative offices, information technology, research and development, and marketing. Certain planned global expenses are allocated to our business segments primarily based on planned revenue. The unallocated costs remain as global and other expenses. We do not allocate costs of implementing restructuring initiatives related to our global functions to our segments. Costs of implementing restructuring initiatives related to a specific segment are recorded within that segment.

 

     2010     2009     % Change     2009     2008     % Change  

Total global expenses

   $ 713.6      $ 577.3        24   $ 577.3      $ 534.5        8

Allocated to segments

     (469.2     (413.8     (13 )%      (413.8     (382.2     8
                                                

Net global expenses

   $ 244.4      $ 163.5        49   $ 163.5      $ 152.3        7
                                                

The increase in Net Global expenses for 2010, was primarily attributable to significant professional and related fees associated with the FCPA investigation and compliance reviews described in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included herein of approximately $95 (up approximately $59 from 2009). The increase in Net Global expenses for 2010 was also due to higher costs associated with global initiatives and costs associated with business acquisitions. Professional and related fees associated with the FCPA investigation and compliance reviews, while difficult to predict, are expected to continue and may vary during the course of this investigation. These costs were not allocated to the segments.

The increase in total global expenses for 2009 was primarily attributable to higher legal and information technology related costs. The increase in amounts allocated to segments for 2009 is a result of a change in the mix of expenses which are allocated to the segments and higher global expenses.

 

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Latin America – 2010 Compared to 2009

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2010     2009     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 4,589.5      $ 4,103.2        12     13

Operating profit

     604.7        647.9        (7 )%      6

CTI Restructuring

     19.8        34.4       

Venezuelan special items

     81.0        —         

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     705.5        682.3        3     4

Operating margin

     13.2     15.8     (2.6     (1.0

CTI Restructuring

     .4        .8       

Venezuelan special items

     1.8        —         

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     15.4     16.6     (1.2     (1.4

Units sold

           5

Active Representatives

           8

Total revenue during 2010 increased due to growth in Active Representatives, driven by continued investments in RVP, and a higher average order. Revenue during 2010 grew 20% in Brazil and 15% in Mexico, with benefits from favorable foreign exchange, while the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange drove a revenue decline of 27% in Venezuela during 2010. Additional information regarding our Venezuela operations is discussed in more detail below. Constant $ revenue during 2010 benefited from continued growth in most markets, particularly from growth of 8% in Brazil, 8% in Mexico and 47% in Venezuela.

Constant $ revenue growth in Mexico during 2010, was driven by an increase in Active Representatives, as well as an increase in average order. Constant $ revenue growth for 2010, in Venezuela reflected a higher average order primarily due to increased prices, partially as a result of inflation, and growth in Active Representatives.

Constant $ revenue growth during 2010 in Brazil was primarily driven by an increase in Active Representatives. Constant $ revenue growth in 2010 in Brazil was pressured by service disruptions in the second half of the year and a decline in skin care sales. Brazil’s revenue grew 38% and 9% during the first half and second half of 2010, respectively, with constant $ growth rates of 13% in the first half and 4% in the second half. Brazil’s performance in the second half of 2010 was primarily driven by service disruptions resulting in shorting of products. The mid-year implementation of government mandated e-invoicing exacerbated our legacy order processing systems and capacity which have also been pressured by a significant increase in order scale in recent years as Brazil’s growth during this period outpaced our expectations and our planned infrastructure investments. These factors pressured the capacity of our legacy systems and were the primary cause of the service disruptions.

Operating margin declined during 2010 in Latin America due to the negative impact of the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency in conjunction with highly inflationary accounting as discussed further below. The decline in operating margin during 2010 caused by the Venezuelan special items was partially offset by benefits of .4 points from lower CTI restructuring. On an Adjusted Non-GAAP basis, excluding the Venezuelan special items and CTI restructuring, the decrease in operating margin in 2010 was primarily driven by higher distribution costs, increased investment in RVP and advertising, partially offset by the benefit of favorable foreign exchange.

Effective January 1, 2010, we began to account for Venezuela as a highly inflationary economy. Effective January 11, 2010, the Venezuelan government devalued its currency and moved to a two-tier exchange structure. The official exchange rate moved from 2.15 to 2.60 for essential goods and to 4.30 for nonessential goods and services. Effective December 30, 2010, the Venezuelan government eliminated the 2.60 rate which had been available for the import of essential goods. Substantially all of the imports of our subsidiary in Venezuela (“Avon Venezuela”) falls into the nonessential classification.

As a result of the change in the nonessentials official rate to 4.30 in conjunction with accounting for our operations in Venezuela under highly inflationary accounting guidelines, during the first quarter of 2010, we recorded net charges of $46.1 in “Other expense, net” and $12.7 in “income taxes”, for a total after-tax charge of $58.8, reflecting the write-down of monetary assets and liabilities and deferred tax benefits. Additionally, certain nonmonetary assets must continue to be carried at U.S. historic dollar cost subsequent to the devaluation. Therefore, the historic U.S. dollar costs impacted the income statement during 2010 at a disproportionate rate as they had not been devalued based on the new exchange rates. As a result of using the U. S. historic dollar cost basis of nonmonetary assets, such as inventory, acquired prior to the devaluation, operating profit during 2010 was negatively impacted by $81, for the

 

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difference between the historical cost at the previous official exchange rate of 2.15 and the current official exchange rate of 4.30. Assuming no further devaluations, in 2011, the impact on operating profit of the 2010 Venezuelan currency devaluations will be immaterial.

Currency restrictions enacted by the Venezuelan government in 2003 have impacted the ability of Avon Venezuela to obtain foreign currency at the official rate to pay for imported products. Since 2003, Avon Venezuela had been obtaining their foreign currency needs beyond the amounts that could be obtained at official rates through non-government sources where the exchange rates were less favorable than the official rate (“parallel market”). In late May 2010, the Venezuelan government took control over the previously freely-traded parallel market. Trading in the parallel market was suspended for several weeks in May and June and reopened as a regulated (“SITME”) market in early June 2010. The government has imposed volume restrictions on trading activity, limiting an entity’s activity to a maximum of $0.35 per month. The current limit is below the monthly foreign exchange requirements of our Venezuelan operations and, unless these restrictions are modified, may have a negative impact on Avon Venezuela’s future operations. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to recover the higher cost of obtaining foreign currency in the SITME market as compared to the official rate through operating activities, such as increased pricing or cost reductions in other areas.

At December 31, 2010, we had a net asset position of $158 associated with our operations in Venezuela, which included cash balances of approximately $120, of which approximately $116 was denominated in bolívares remeasured at the December 31, 2010, nonessentials official exchange rate and approximately $4 was denominated in U.S. dollars. Of the $158 net asset position, approximately $134 was associated with bolívar-denominated monetary net assets and deferred income taxes. Additionally, during 2010 Avon Venezuela’s revenue and operating profit represented approximately 3% and (2)% of Avon’s consolidated revenue and Avon’s consolidated operating profit, respectively. Avon Venezuela’s operating profit as a percentage of Avon’s consolidated operating profit was negatively impacted by 7 points due to the Venezuelan special items.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, the exchange rate in the SITME market ranged within 5 to 6 Bolívares to the U.S. Dollar. To illustrate our sensitivity to potential future changes in the nonessentials official exchange rate in Venezuela, if the nonessentials official exchange rate was further devalued as of December 31, 2010, to a rate of 5.7 Bolívares to the U.S. dollar, which was approximately the rate on December 31, 2010, in the SITME market, or an approximate 25% devaluation, our results would be negatively impacted as follows:

 

   

As a result of the use of a further devalued exchange rate for the remeasurement of Avon Venezuela’s revenues and profits, Avon’s annualized consolidated revenues would likely be negatively impacted by approximately 1% and annualized consolidated operating profit would likely be negatively impacted by approximately 2% prospectively, assuming no operational improvements occurred to offset the negative impact of a further devaluation.

 

   

Avon’s consolidated operating profit during the first twelve months following the devaluation in this example would likely be negatively impacted by approximately 4%, assuming no offsetting operational improvements. The larger negative impact on operating profit during the first twelve months as compared to the prospective impact is caused by costs of nonmonetary assets being carried at historic dollar cost in accordance with the requirement to account for Venezuela as a highly inflationary economy while revenue would be remeasured at the further devalued rate.

 

   

We would likely incur an immediate charge of approximately $25 ($24 in “Other expenses, net” and $1 in “income taxes”) associated with the $134 of Bolívar-denominated monetary net assets and deferred income taxes.

During 2010, costs associated with acquiring goods that required settlement in U.S. dollars through the parallel or SITME markets in Venezuela included within operating profit were approximately $56. The amounts reported within operating profit during 2009, were approximately $45.

At December 31, 2010, Avon Venezuela had pending requests submitted with an agency of the Venezuelan government for approximately $76 for remittance of dividends and royalties to its parent company in the U.S. These outstanding requests had been periodically submitted between 2005 and 2009.

 

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Latin America – 2009 Compared to 2008

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2009     2008     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 4,103.2      $ 3,884.1        6     16

Operating profit

     647.9        690.3        (6 )%      2

CTI Restructuring

     34.4        6.1       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     682.3        696.4        (2 )%      7

Operating margin

     15.8     17.8     (2.0     (2.0

CTI Restructuring

     .8        .2       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     16.6     17.9     (1.3     (1.3

Units sold

           6

Active Representatives

           10

Total revenue increased for 2009 reflecting growth in Active Representatives, driven by investments in RVP, and a higher average order, offset by unfavorable foreign exchange. Revenue increased 9% in Brazil and declined 11% in Mexico for 2009. Constant $ revenue for 2009 benefited from growth in all markets, particularly from increases of 17% in Brazil and 8% in Mexico. Revenue in Venezuela for 2009 grew 18% in both Constant $ and U.S. dollars.

Constant $ revenue growth in Brazil for 2009 was primarily driven by an increase in Active Representatives, as well as a higher average order. Constant $ revenue growth in Mexico for 2009 was driven by a significant increase in Active Representatives, partially offset by a lower average order, reflecting a difficult economic climate. Revenue growth in Venezuela for 2009 reflected increased prices due to inflation.

During 2009, operating margin was negatively impacted by .6 points due to higher CTI restructuring compared to the same period in the prior year. On an Adjusted Non-GAAP basis, excluding CTI restructuring, the decrease in operating margin in Latin America for 2009 was primarily due to an estimated 2 point negative impact of unfavorable foreign exchange transactions, which included the cost of our Venezuelan subsidiary settling certain U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities through transactions with non-government sources where the exchange rate was less favorable than the official rate (the “parallel market”). Partially offsetting these negative impacts was the benefit of higher revenues and fixed overhead expense.

North America – 2010 Compared to 2009

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2010     2009     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 2,244.0      $ 2,293.4        (2 )%      (3 )% 

Operating profit

     155.9        110.4        41     37

CTI Restructuring

     41.3        40.5       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     197.2        150.9        31     28

Operating margin

     6.9     4.8     2.1        2.0   

CTI Restructuring

     1.8        1.8       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     8.8     6.6     2.2        2.1   

Units sold

           (7 )% 

Active Representatives

           (3 )% 

North America consists largely of the U.S. business and 2010 results include the results of Silpada, for the period since our acqusition at the end of July 2010. Silpada favorably impacted North America revenue growth by 5 points during 2010. Silpada also favorably impacted operating profit growth by 31 points during 2010 and favorably impacted Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit growth by 23 points. As a result of the Silpada acquisition, units sold and Active Representatives for 2010 were each favorably impacted by 1 point.

 

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The total revenue decline during 2010 was due to a decline in Active Representatives and a lower average order received from Representatives. The decline in Active Representatives for 2010 was largely due to a decline in additions compared with last year’s record recruiting. This resulted in strong growth in Active Representatives during 2009 causing an unfavorable comparison in 2010. Sales of non-Beauty products decreased 1% during 2010, with Silpada offsetting the decline by 10 points. Sales of Beauty products decreased 4% during 2010, partly due to weakness in the beauty market.

The increase in North America operating margin and Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin during 2010 was primarily driven by improvements in gross margin caused by favorable pricing and mix and manufacturing productivity gains and the inclusion of Silpada results, which benefited operating margin by 1.2 points during 2010, despite approximately $7 of amortization of intangible assets. These operating margin benefits were negatively impacted by lower revenues which were not able to offset overhead expenses, despite cost saving initiatives. The costs associated with completing the Silpada acquisition were recorded in global expenses and were not allocated to the North America segment. Included within the Silpada results was an operating margin benefit of .7 points due to a change in the fair value of the contingent consideration recorded in connection with the Silpada acquisition, primarily due to a decrease in estimates of the ultimate earnout.

We expect our results to continue to be pressured, as we focus on our recovery plan and transitioning our North America business, which includes optimizing our product portfolio and enhancing field fundamentals.

North America – 2009 Compared to 2008

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2009     2008     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 2,293.4      $ 2,522.0        (9 )%      (9 )% 

Operating profit

     110.4        213.9        (48 )%      (48 )% 

CTI Restructuring

     40.5        11.1       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     150.9        225.0        (33 )%      (32 )% 

Operating margin

     4.8     8.5     (3.7     (3.6

CTI Restructuring

     1.8        .4       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     6.6     8.9     (2.3     (2.3

Units sold

           (7 )% 

Active Representatives

           3

Total revenue for 2009 was negatively impacted by the continued recessionary pressure, as a lower average order received from Representatives more than offset an increase in Active Representatives. Average order was particularly challenged in our non-beauty categories during 2009 as compared to 2008. Sales of non-Beauty products declined 13% in 2009, consistent with the general retail environment. Sales of Beauty products declined 6% in 2009.

The growth in Active Representatives during 2009 reflected our ongoing recruiting and training efforts.

During 2009, operating margin was negatively impacted by 1.4 points due to higher CTI restructuring compared to the same period in the prior year. On an Adjusted Non-GAAP basis, excluding CTI restructuring, the decline in operating margin during 2009 was due to lower revenues with fixed overhead expense and higher obsolescence expense during 2009.

 

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Central & Eastern Europe – 2010 Compared to 2009

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2010     2009     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 1,585.8      $ 1,500.1        6     5

Operating profit

     297.8        244.9        22     22

CTI Restructuring

     4.7        29.7       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     302.5        274.6        10     12

Operating margin

     18.8     16.3     2.5        2.7   

CTI Restructuring

     .3        2.0       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     19.1     18.3     .8        1.1   

Units sold

           3

Active Representatives

           4

Total revenue during 2010 increased as a result of growth in Active Representatives and a higher average order, as well as favorable foreign exchange. The region’s revenue benefited from growth of 11% in Russia, due partially to favorable foreign exchange. During 2010, Constant $ revenue in Russia increased by 7% due to a growth in Active Representatives and a higher average order. Russia’s revenue grew 26% in the first half of 2010, but was flat during the second half, with Constant $ growth rates of 14% in the first half and 2% in the second half. Russia’s performance in the second half of 2010 was primarily a result of slowing field growth due to weak incentives. Increases in social benefit taxes levied against certain Representatives exacerbated the slowdown in field growth. The increased taxes disproportionately reduced new and developing Representatives’ earnings, which reduced their motivation to recruit. In Russia, weaker color and skincare performance negatively impacted revenue growth in the second half of 2010. During the first quarter of 2011, we launched a new sales leadership compensation plan to help offset the tax burden on these Representatives.

During 2010, operating margin benefited by 1.7 points due to lower CTI restructuring compared to the prior year. On an Adjusted Non-GAAP basis, the increase in operating margin during 2010 was primarily driven by the benefit of leverage from higher revenues with fixed overhead expenses, partially offset by a lower gross margin.

Central & Eastern Europe – 2009 Compared to 2008

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2009     2008     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 1,500.1      $ 1,719.5        (13 )%      9

Operating profit

     244.9        346.2        (29 )%      (12 )% 

CTI Restructuring

     29.7        3.3       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     274.6        349.5        (21 )%      (3 )% 

Operating margin

     16.3     20.1     (3.8     (3.8

CTI Restructuring

     2.0        .2       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     18.3     20.3     (2.0     (2.2

Units sold

           2

Active Representatives

           10

Total revenue decreased for 2009 as compared to 2008, impacted by unfavorable foreign exchange. Constant $ revenue for 2009 increased despite recessionary pressures throughout the region, reflecting growth in Active Representatives, driven by investments in RVP as well as strong marketing offers. While the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates drove revenue declines of 7% in Russia and 19% in Ukraine for 2009, Constant $ revenue grew during 2009 by 18% in Russia and 20% in Ukraine.

The Constant $ revenue increase in Russia for 2009 was primarily due to strong growth in Active Representatives. In late 2008, we completed the roll-out of Sales Leadership and improved the discount structure we offered Representatives in Russia. The Constant $ revenue increase in Ukraine for 2009 was primarily due to growth in Active Representatives and a higher average order due to increased pricing from inflation, partially offset by the negative impact of recent economic conditions.

 

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During 2009, operating margin was negatively impacted by 1.8 points due to higher CTI restructuring compared to the prior year. On an adjusted Non-GAAP basis, excluding CTI restructuring, the decrease in operating margin for 2009 as compared to 2008 was primarily driven by the unfavorable impacts of foreign exchange transactions, which negatively impacted operating margin by an estimated 5 points, partially offset by lower advertising costs in 2009 as compared to 2008 and the benefit of higher Constant $ revenues with fixed overhead expenses. Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin for 2009 was also negatively impacted by higher obsolescence expense in 2009, as the 2008 period benefited from an adjustment to inventory obsolescence reserve due to changes in our estimates to our disposition plan of products reserved for under PLS.

Western Europe, Middle East & Africa – 2010 Compared to 2009

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2010     2009     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 1,462.1      $ 1,277.8        14     15

Operating profit

     176.5        84.2        110     107

CTI Restructuring

     1.6        31.0       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     178.1        115.2        55     56

Operating margin

     12.1     6.6     5.5        5.5   

CTI Restructuring

     .1        2.4       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     12.2     9.0     3.2        3.2   

Units sold

           12

Active Representatives

           12

Total revenue during 2010 primarily increased as a result of an increase in Active Representatives. The region’s revenue growth during 2010 was primarily due to significant growth in South Africa and Turkey, as well as the acquisition of Liz Earle, which contributed approximately 3 points to revenue growth in 2010. During 2010, revenue increased 17% in Turkey and Constant $ revenue increased 15% in Turkey, due primarily to strong growth in Active Representatives, driven by continued investments in RVP. During 2010, revenue increased 82% in South Africa, partially benefiting from favorable foreign exchange. Constant $ revenue growth of 64% during 2010 in South Africa was primarily attributable to strong growth in Active Representatives, driven by investments in RVP, and the expansion of our geographic reach in the country. During 2010, revenue increased by 1% in the United Kingdom, while Constant $ revenue increased by 3% due to a growth in Active Representatives, partially offset by a lower average order.

During 2010, operating margin benefited by 2.3 points due to lower CTI restructuring compared to the prior year. On an Adjusted Non-GAAP basis, excluding CTI restructuring, the increase in operating margin during 2010 was primarily driven by improvements in gross margin, driven by improved manufacturing productivity, including the benefits of SSI.

Western Europe, Middle East & Africa – 2009 Compared to 2008

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2009     2008     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 1,277.8      $ 1,351.7        (5 )%      6

Operating profit

     84.2        121.0        (30 )%      (22 )% 

CTI Restructuring

     31.0        24.3       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     115.2        145.3        (21 )%      (10 )% 

Operating margin

     6.6     8.9     (2.3     (2.1

CTI Restructuring

     2.4        1.8       

Adjusted Non-CAAP operating margin

     9.0     10.7     (1.7     (1.4

Units sold

           8

Active Representatives

           10

 

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Total revenue decreased for 2009 as compared to 2008 as a result of unfavorable foreign exchange. Constant $ revenue increased for 2009 as a result of growth in Active Representatives, offset by a lower average order reflecting recessionary pressure. Active Representatives growth for 2009 benefited by one point due to the acquisition of a small distributor in Saudi Arabia during the second quarter of 2009. This acquisition had minimal impact on the financial results. Revenue declined 16% in the United Kingdom during 2009, due to the negative impact of foreign exchange. Constant $ revenue in the United Kingdom declined 1% during 2009, as strong merchandising of “smart value” products countered the recessionary pressure. Revenue in Turkey increased 2% during 2009. Turkey’s Constant $ revenue increased 21% during 2009, reflecting an increase in Active Representatives, driven by investments in RVP and Sales Leadership.

During 2009, operating margin was negatively impacted by .6 points due to higher CTI restructuring compared to the prior year. On an Adjusted Non-GAAP basis, excluding CTI restructuring, the decrease in operating margin for 2009 as compared to 2008 was primarily driven by unfavorable foreign exchange, including the impacts of foreign exchange transactions as well as translation, which negatively impacted operating margin by an estimated 3 points, partially offset by lower overhead expenses in 2009.

Asia Pacific – 2010 Compared to 2009

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2010     2009     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 752.4      $ 677.3        11     3

Operating profit

     93.4        61.6        52     34

CTI Restructuring

     (.2     18.5       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     93.2        80.1        16     4

Operating margin

     12.4     9.1     3.3        2.8   

CTI Restructuring

     —          2.7       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     12.4     11.8     .6        .1   

Units sold

           3

Active Representatives

           5

The region’s results for 2010 and 2009 exclude the results of Japan, which was classified as a discontinued operation beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Total revenue during 2010 increased due to favorable foreign exchange and growth in Active Representatives, partially offset by a lower average order. Revenue grew 15% during 2010 in the Philippines, benefiting partially from favorable foreign exchange. Constant $ revenue during 2010 in the Philippines increased by 10% driven by growth in Active Representatives, which was supported by RVP initiatives, offset by a lower average order. The region’s results were negatively impacted by a decline in skincare sales during 2010.

During 2010, operating margin benefited by 2.7 points due to lower CTI restructuring compared to the prior year. On an Adjusted Non-GAAP basis, excluding CTI restructuring, operating margin during 2010 benefited from improved gross margin, which benefited from lower product costs and favorable foreign exchange, which benefited gross margin by approximately 1 point, partially offset by an increased investment in RVP.

 

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Asia Pacific – 2009 Compared to 2008

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2009     2008     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 677.3      $ 679.3        —       6

Operating profit

     61.6        87.7        (30 )%      (24 )% 

CTI Restructuring

     18.5        (0.6    

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     80.1        87.2        (8 )%      (2 )% 

Operating margin

     9.1     12.9     (3.8     (3.8

CTI Restructuring

     2.7        (.1    

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     11.8     12.8     (1.0     (1.0

Units sold

           4

Active Representatives

           7

The region’s results for 2009 and 2008 exclude the results of Japan, which was classified as a discontinued operation beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Total revenue was flat for 2009, impacted by unfavorable foreign exchange. Constant $ revenue increased for 2009 as a result of growth in Active Representatives, offset by a lower average order. Revenue in the Philippines increased 6%, while Constant $ revenue in the Philippines increased by 14%, driven by growth in Active Representatives, supported by RVP initiatives.

Operating margin for 2009 as compared to 2008 was negatively impacted by 2.8 points due to higher CTI restructuring. On an Adjusted Non-GAAP basis, excluding CTI restructuring, the decrease in operating margin for 2009 was primarily driven by unfavorable foreign exchange, including the impacts of foreign exchange transactions as well as translation, which negatively impacted operating margin by an estimated 2 points. Partially offsetting these items were the benefits of growth derived from higher margin markets.

China – 2010 Compared to 2009

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2010     2009     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 229.0      $ 353.4        (35 )%      (36 )% 

Operating (loss) profit

     (10.8     20.1        (154 )%      (154 )% 

CTI Restructuring

     (.1     1.9       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit

     (10.9     22.0        (150 )%      (150 )% 

Operating margin

     (4.7 )%      5.7     (10.4     (10.6

CTI Restructuring

     —          .5       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     (4.8 )%      6.2     (11.0     (11.1

Units sold

           (38 )% 

Active Representatives

           (39 )% 

Total revenue during 2010 decreased due to significant revenue declines in both direct selling and Beauty Boutiques. The fundamental challenges in our complex hybrid business model, including conflicting needs of retail and direct selling, impacted both businesses, resulting in a 39% reduction in Active Representatives. Our continued transition away from our complex hybrid business model to one which focuses on direct selling and updating our service center model is expected to include a realigned field compensation structure and recalibrated merchandising and campaign management strategies to support direct selling. We anticipate that this will position us to expand our direct selling penetration and coverage. However, this transition is resulting in attrition in our Beauty Boutiques over time. The transition will continue to negatively impact our near-term outlook. We remain positive about our long-term revenue and operating profit opportunities.

The unfavorable change in operating margin during 2010 was primarily driven by significantly lower revenues.

 

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For information concerning an internal investigation into our China operations, see Risk Factors and Note 16, Contingencies.

China – 2009 Compared to 2008

 

                 %/Point Change  
     2009     2008     US$     Constant $  

Total revenue

   $ 353.4      $ 350.9        1     (1 )% 

Operating profit

     20.1        17.7        14     12

CTI Restructuring

     1.9        .2       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating profit

     22.0        17.9        23     22

Operating margin

     5.7     5.0     .7        .7   

CTI Restructuring

     .5        .1       

Adjusted Non-GAAP operating margin

     6.2     5.1     1.1        1.2   

Units sold

           3

Active Representatives

           32

Total revenue increased during 2009 as compared to 2008 due to the impact of favorable foreign exchange and an increase in Active Representatives, partially offset by a lower average order. Revenue from Beauty Boutiques decreased by over 40% during 2009, reflecting the complex evolution towards direct selling in this hybrid business model, which is unique to this market. Revenue growth from direct selling increased 24% during 2009.

The increase in operating margin for 2009 was primarily driven by lower advertising costs and cost saving initiatives. A lower gross margin offset these operating margin benefits for 2009. Additionally, the 2008 operating margin was negatively impacted by costs associated with the 2008 earthquake and floods.

Liquidity And Capital Resources

Our principal sources of funds historically have been cash flows from operations, commercial paper and borrowings under lines of credit. As disclosed in the Latin America Segment Review, currency restrictions enacted by the Venezuelan government have impacted our ability to repatriate dividends and royalties from our Venezuelan operations on a timely basis. We currently believe that existing cash outside of Venezuela, as well as cash to be generated from operations outside of Venezuela along with available sources of public and private financing are adequate to meet the Company’s anticipated requirements for working capital, dividends, capital expenditures, the share repurchase program, possible acquisitions and other cash needs in the short and long term.

We may, from time to time, seek to repurchase our equity or to retire our outstanding debt in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, derivative instruments or otherwise. During 2010, we repurchased approximately .4 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $14.1. During 2009, we repurchased approximately .4 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $8.6.

Retirements of debt will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors, and the amounts involved may be material. We may also elect to incur additional debt or issue equity or convertible securities to finance ongoing operations, acquisitions or to meet our other liquidity needs.

In July 2010, Avon completed the purchase of substantially all the assets and liabilities of Silpada for approximately $650 in cash. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we may be required to pay additional consideration in 2015 if Silpada’s North America business achieves specific earnings target. The acquisition was funded with cash and commercial paper borrowings. Refer to Note 17, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, to our 2010 Annual Report for more details.

Any issuances of equity securities or convertible securities could have a dilutive effect on the ownership interest of our current shareholders and may adversely impact earnings per share in future periods.

 

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Our liquidity could also be impacted by dividends, capital expenditures and acquisitions. At any given time, we may be in discussions and negotiations with potential acquisition candidates. Acquisitions may be accretive or dilutive and by their nature involve numerous risks and uncertainties. See our Cautionary Statement for purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Balance Sheet Data

 

     2010      2009  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,179.9       $ 1,298.1   

Total debt

     3,136.2         2,445.0   

Working capital

     1,228.0         1,914.5   

Cash Flows

 

     2010     2009     2008  

Net cash from continuing operating activities

   $ 689.0      $ 754.7      $ 733.9   

Net cash from continuing investing activities

     (1,095.7     (218.3     (400.3

Net cash from continuing financing activities

     234.7        (361.2     (140.8

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents

     (33.7     5.6        (61.9

Net Cash from Continuing Operating Activities

Net cash provided from continuing operating activities during 2010 was $65.7 lower than 2009, primarily due to both higher inventories resulting from lower-than-expected sales and the negative impacts of timing of restructuring payments. Offsetting these unfavorable comparisons are the recovery of value added taxes in Brazil.

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities during 2009 was $20.8 higher than during 2008, primarily due to favorable comparisons to 2008, which included the timing of payments relating to our restructuring programs, higher incentive based compensation payments related to our 2006-2007 Turnaround Incentive Plan and the impact of advance purchases of paper for brochures in 2008. Offsetting these favorable comparisons, are net unfavorable working capital movements in accounts receivable as compared to 2008 and additional payments of value added taxes in Brazil that we expect to recover in the future.

Inventory levels increased during 2010, to $1,152.9 at December 31, 2010, from $1,049.8 at December 31, 2009, primarily reflecting lower-than-expected sales offset by the benefit of favorable foreign exchange. New inventory life cycle management processes leveraged with initiatives such as PLS, SSI, ERP implementation and the Sales and Operations Planning process are expected to improve inventory levels in the long-term. Inventory days are up 4 days in 2010 as compared to 2009, due to lower-than-expected sales offset by the benefit of favorable foreign exchange.

We maintain defined benefit pension plans and unfunded supplemental pension benefit plans (see Note 12, Employee Benefit Plans). Our funding policy for these plans is based on legal requirements and cash flows. The amounts necessary to fund future obligations under these plans could vary depending on estimated assumptions (as detailed in “Critical Accounting Estimates”). The future funding for these plans will depend on economic conditions, employee demographics, mortality rates, the number of associates electing to take lump-sum distributions, investment performance and funding decisions. Based on current assumptions, we expect to make contributions in the range of $90 to $100 to our U.S. pension plans and in the range of $40 to $45 to our international pension plans during 2011.

Net Cash from Continuing Investing Activities

Net cash used by continuing investing activities during 2010 was $877.4 higher than during 2009, primarily due to the acquisition of Silpada and Liz Earle. In addition during the first half of 2009, we redeemed certain corporate-owned life insurance policies. Net cash used by investing activities during 2009 was $182.0 lower than 2008, primarily due to the redemption of certain corporate-owned life insurance policies in 2009 and lower capital expenditures.

Capital expenditures during 2010 were $331.2 compared with $296.3 in 2009 due to higher information technology expenditure in Latin America. Capital expenditures during 2009 were $296.3 compared with $377.4 in 2008. This decrease resulted from our efforts to preserve capital. Capital expenditures in 2011 are currently expected to be approximately $300 to $315 and will be funded by cash from operations. These expenditures will include investments for capacity expansion, modernization of existing facilities, continued construction of new distribution facilities in Latin America and information systems.

 

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Net Cash from Continuing Financing Activities

Net cash provided by continuing financing activities of $234.7 during 2010 compared favorably to cash used by continuing financing activities of $361.2 during 2009 primarily due to the issuance of debt in 2010 to partially finance the Silpada acquisition.

Net cash used by financing activities of $361.2 during 2009, compared unfavorably to cash used by financing activities of $140.8 during 2008. During 2009, we repaid $958.1 of commercial paper and other debt as compared to $290.8 during 2008. In 2009, we received proceeds from the $850 debt issuance during March 2009 as compared to a $500 debt issuance during 2008. Additionally, during 2009 we repurchased $8.6 of common stock as compared to $172.1 in 2008.

We purchased approximately .4 million shares of our common stock for $14.1 during 2010, as compared to .4 million shares for $8.6 during 2009 and 4.6 million shares for $172.1 during 2008, under our previously announced share repurchase programs and through acquisition of stock from employees in connection with tax payments upon vesting of restricted stock units. In October 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of $2,000.0 of our common stock over a five-year period, which began in December 2007.

We increased our quarterly dividend payments to $.22 per share in 2010 from $.21 per share in 2009. In February 2011, our Board approved an increase in the quarterly dividend to $.23 per share.

Debt and Contractual Financial Obligations and Commitments

At December 31, 2010, our debt and contractual financial obligations and commitments by due dates were as follows:

 

     2011      2012      2013      2014      2015      2016
and Beyond
     Total  

Short-term debt

   $ 500.0       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 500.0   

Long-term debt

     —           —           375.0         500.0         142.0         1,243.0         2,260.0   

Capital lease obligations

     13.5         15.9         6.7         4.3         5.3         35.2         80.9   
                                                              

Total debt

     513.5         15.9         381.7         504.3         147.3         1,278.2         2,840.9   

Debt-related interest

     117.3         115.8         101.8         74.0         68.8         67.8         545.5   
                                                              

Total debt-related

     630.8         131.7         483.5         578.3         216.1         1,346.0         3,386.4   

Operating leases

     103.5         83.6         72.9         61.7         56.6         164.5         542.8   

Purchase obligations

     223.4         88.4         62.9         51.0         50.3         14.6         490.6   

Benefit obligations (1)

     125.8         11.8         9.5         9.2         7.6         44.1         208.0   
                                                              

Total debt and contractual financial obligations and commitments (2)

   $ 1,083.5       $ 315.5       $ 628.8       $ 700.2       $ 330.6       $ 1,569.2       $ 4,627.8   
                                                              

 

(1)

Amounts represent expected future benefit payments for our unfunded pension and postretirement benefit plans, as well as expected contributions for 2011 to our funded pension benefit plans. We are not able to estimate our contributions to our funded pension plans beyond 2011.

(2)

The amount of debt and contractual financial obligations and commitments excludes amounts due under derivative transactions. The table also excludes information on recurring purchases of inventory as these purchase orders are non-binding, are generally consistent from year to year, and are short-term in nature. The table does not include any reserves for income taxes because we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of settlement of our reserves for income taxes. At December 31, 2010, our reserves for income taxes, including interest and penalties, totaled $97.8.

See Note 5, Debt and Other Financing, and Note 14, Leases and Commitments, to our 2010 Annual Report for further information on our debt and contractual financial obligations and commitments. Additionally, as disclosed in Note 15, Restructuring Initiatives, we have a remaining liability of $135.9 at December 31, 2010, associated with the restructuring charges recorded to date under the 2005 and 2009 Restructuring Programs, and we also expect to record additional restructuring charges of $25.1 in future periods to implement the actions approved to date. The significant majority of these liabilities will require cash payments during 2011.

 

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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

At December 31, 2010, we had no material off-balance-sheet arrangements.

Capital Resources

We maintain a three-year, $1,000.0 revolving credit and competitive advance facility, which expires in November 2013, and a $300.0, 364 day credit facility, which expires on December 13, 2011, (collectively, the “credit facilities”). Borrowings under the credit facilities bear interest at a rate per annum, which are either based on LIBOR or a floating base rate plus an applicable margin. The credit facilities contain various covenants, including a financial covenant that requires our interest coverage ratio (determined in relation to our consolidated pretax income and interest expense) to equal or exceed 4:1. The credit facilities may be used for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2010, there were no amounts outstanding under the credit facilities.

We also maintain a $1,000.0 commercial paper program. Under this program, we may issue from time to time unsecured promissory notes in the commercial paper market in private placements exempt from registration under federal and state securities laws, for a cumulative face amount not to exceed $1,000.0 outstanding at any one time and with maturities not exceeding 270 days from the date of issue. The commercial paper short-term notes issued under the program are not redeemable prior to maturity and are not subject to voluntary prepayment. The commercial paper program is supported by our three-year credit facility. Outstanding commercial paper effectively reduces the amount available for borrowing under the three-year credit facility. At December 31, 2010, there were no amounts outstanding under this program.

In November 2010, we issued, in a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, $142.0 principal amount of 2.60% Senior Notes, Series A, due November 23, 2015, $290.0 principal amount of 4.03% Senior Notes, Series B, due November 23, 2020, and $103.0 principal amount of 4.18% Senior Notes, Series C, due November 23, 2022. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company, rank equal in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company, and are unconditionally guaranteed by one of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Notes also require the Company to comply with an interest coverage ratio and contain customary default provisions, including cross-default provisions. The proceeds from the sale of the Notes were used to repay existing debt and for general corporate purposes.

In March 2009, we issued, in a public offering, $500.0 principal amount of 5.625% Notes, due March 1, 2014 and $350.0 principal amount of 6.50% Notes, due March 1, 2019. In March 2008, we issued, in a public offering, $250.0 principal amount of 4.80% Notes, due March 1, 2013 and $250.0 principal amount of 5.75% Notes, due March 1, 2018. The proceeds from these offerings were used to repay the outstanding indebtedness under our commercial paper program and for general corporate purposes.

At December 31, 2010, we were in compliance with all covenants in our indentures. Such indentures do not contain any rating downgrade triggers that would accelerate the maturity of our debt. We would be required to make an offer to repurchase the notes described above at a price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in the event of a change in control involving us and a corresponding ratings downgrade to below investment grade. We also have outstanding $250.0 principal amount of 4.20% Notes, due July 15, 2018 and $125.0 principal amount of 4.625% Notes, due May 15, 2013. Additionally, we had $500.0 principal amount of 5.125% Notes, due in January 2011, outstanding at December 31, 2010, which has subsequently been repaid primarily with the use of commercial paper. Please refer to Note 5, Debt and Other Financing, to our 2010 Annual Report for more details.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The overall objective of our financial risk management program is to reduce the potential negative effects from changes in foreign exchange and interest rates arising from our business activities. We may reduce our exposure to fluctuations in cash flows associated with changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates by creating offsetting positions through the use of derivative financial instruments and through operational means. Since we use foreign currency rate-sensitive and interest rate-sensitive instruments to hedge a portion of our existing and forecasted transactions, we expect that any loss in value for the hedge instruments generally would be offset by changes in the value of the underlying transactions.

 

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We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, nor are we a party to leveraged derivatives. The master agreements governing our derivative contracts generally contain standard provisions that could trigger early termination of the contracts in some circumstances, including if we were to merge with another entity and the creditworthiness of the surviving entity were to be “materially weaker” than that of Avon prior to the merger.

Interest Rate Risk

We use interest rate swaps to manage our interest rate exposure. The interest rate swaps are used to either convert our fixed rate borrowing to a variable interest rate or to unwind an existing variable interest rate swap on a fixed rate borrowing. At December 31, 2010, we held interest rate swap agreements that effectively converted approximately 74% of our outstanding long-term, fixed-rate borrowings to a variable interest rate based on LIBOR, as compared to 82% at December 31, 2009. Our total exposure to floating interest rates was 81% at December 31, 2010, and 83% at December 31, 2009.

Our long-term borrowings and interest rate swaps were analyzed at year-end to determine their sensitivity to interest rate changes. Based on the outstanding balance of all these financial instruments at December 31, 2010, a hypothetical 50-basis-point change (either an increase or a decrease) in interest rates prevailing at that date, sustained for one year, would not represent a material potential change in fair value, earnings or cash flows. This potential change was calculated based on discounted cash flow analyses using interest rates comparable to our current cost of debt.

Foreign Currency Risk

We operate globally, with operations in various locations around the world. Over the past three years, approximately 83% of our consolidated revenue was derived from operations of subsidiaries outside of the U.S. The functional currency for most of our foreign operations is the local currency. We are exposed to changes in financial market conditions in the normal course of our operations, primarily due to international businesses and transactions denominated in foreign currencies and the use of various financial instruments to fund ongoing activities. At December 31, 2010, the primary currencies for which we had net underlying foreign currency exchange rate exposures were the Argentine peso, Brazilian real, British pound, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Colombian peso, the euro, Mexican peso, Philippine peso, Polish zloty, Russian ruble, Turkish lira, Ukrainian hryvnia and Venezuelan bolívar.

We may reduce our exposure to fluctuations in cash flows associated with changes in foreign exchange rates by creating offsetting positions through the use of derivative financial instruments.

Our hedges of our foreign currency exposure are not designed to, and, therefore, cannot entirely eliminate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Our foreign-currency financial instruments were analyzed at year-end to determine their sensitivity to foreign exchange rate changes. Based on our foreign exchange contracts at December 31, 2010, the impact of a hypothetical 10% appreciation or 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar against our foreign exchange contracts would not represent a material potential change in fair value, earnings or cash flows. This potential change does not consider our underlying foreign currency exposures. The hypothetical impact was calculated on the open positions using forward rates at December 31, 2010, adjusted for an assumed 10% appreciation or 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar against these hedging contracts.

Credit Risk of Financial Instruments

We attempt to minimize our credit exposure to counterparties by entering into derivative transactions and similar agreements with major international financial institutions with “A” or higher credit ratings as issued by Standard & Poor’s Corporation. Our foreign currency and interest rate derivatives are comprised of over-the-counter forward contracts, swaps or options with major international financial institutions. Although our theoretical credit risk is the replacement cost at the then estimated fair value of these instruments, we believe that the risk of incurring credit risk losses is remote and that such losses, if any, would not be material.

Non-performance of the counterparties on the balance of all the foreign exchange and interest rate agreements would result in a write-off of $135.9 at December 31, 2010. In addition, in the event of non-performance by such counterparties, we would be exposed to market risk on the underlying items being hedged as a result of changes in foreign exchange and interest rates.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Reference is made to the Index on page F-1 of our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained herein.

 

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, our principal executive and principal financial officers carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management was required to apply its judgment in evaluating and implementing possible controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2010, at the reasonable assurance level. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information relating to Avon (including our consolidated subsidiaries) required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is defined as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

   

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

 

   

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process, and it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, we assessed as of December 31, 2010, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment was based on criteria established in the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment using those criteria, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, was effective.

 

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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. Their report is included on page F-2 of our 2010 Annual Report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management has evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive and principal financial officers, whether any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on the evaluation we conducted, our management has concluded that no such changes have occurred.

We are implementing an enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system on a worldwide basis, which is expected to improve the efficiency of our supply chain and financial transaction processes. The implementation is expected to occur in phases over the next several years. The implementation of a worldwide ERP system will likely affect the processes that constitute our internal control over financial reporting and will require testing for effectiveness.

We completed implementation in certain significant markets and will continue to roll-out the ERP system over the next several years. As with any new information technology application we implement, this application, along with the internal controls over financial reporting included in this process, were appropriately tested for effectiveness prior to the implementation in these countries. We concluded, as part of our evaluation described in the above paragraph, that the implementation of ERP in these countries is not reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

 

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PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors

Information regarding directors is incorporated by reference to the “Proposal 1 - Election of Directors” and “Information Concerning the Board of Directors” sections of our proxy statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“2011 Proxy Statement”).

Executive Officers

Information regarding executive officers is incorporated by reference to the “Executive Officers” section of our 2011 Proxy Statement.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” section of our 2011 Proxy Statement.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, amended in February 2008, that applies to all members of the Board of Directors and to all of our employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available, free of charge, on our investor website, www.avoninvestor.com. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is also available, without charge, from Investor Relations, Avon Products, Inc., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105-0196 or by sending an email to investor.relations@avon.com or by calling (212) 282-5320. Any amendment to, or waiver from, the provisions of this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to any of those officers will be posted to the same location on our website.

Audit Committee; Audit Committee Financial Expert

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Information Concerning the Board of Directors” section of our 2011 Proxy Statement.

Material Changes in Nominating Procedures

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Information Concerning the Board of Directors” section of our 2011 Proxy Statement.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Information Concerning the Board of Directors,” “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” sections of our 2011 Proxy Statement.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and “Ownership of Shares” sections of our 2011 Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Information Concerning the Board of Directors” and “Transactions with Related Persons” sections of our 2011 Proxy Statement.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

This information is incorporated by reference to the “Proposal 2 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” section of our 2011 Proxy Statement.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

(a) 1. Consolidated Financial Statements and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

See Index on page F-1.

(a) 2. Financial Statement Schedule

See Index on page F-1.

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements and notes.

(a) 3. Index to Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
  2.1    Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2010, by and among Avon Products, Inc., SD Acquisition LLC, Silpada Designs, Inc., the stockholders of Silpada Designs, Inc., and Gerald A. Kelly, Jr., solely in his capacity as representative of Silpada Designs, Inc. and the stockholders of Silpada Designs, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 12, 2010).
  3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York on May 3, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Avon’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007).
  3.2    By-laws of Avon, as amended, effective May 3, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Avon’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007).
  4.1    Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2003, between Avon, as Issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to Avon’s $125.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.625% Notes due 2013, $250.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.20% Notes due 2018 and $500.0 aggregate principal amount of Avon’s 5.125% Notes due 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Avon’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003).
  4.2    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 3, 2008, between Avon Products, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee, pursuant to which the 4.800% Notes due 2013 are issued (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2008).
  4.3    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 3, 2008, between Avon Products, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee, pursuant to which the 5.750% Notes due 2018 are issued (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2008).
  4.4    Indenture, dated as of February 27, 2008, between Avon Products, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2008).
  4.5    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 2, 2009, between Avon Products, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee, with respect to the issuance of the 5.625% Notes due 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2009).
  4.6    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 2, 2009, between Avon Products, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee, with respect to the issuance of the 6.500% Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2009).
10.1*    Avon Products, Inc. Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to Avon’s Proxy Statement as filed on March 27, 2000).

 

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10.2*    Amendment of the Avon Products, Inc. Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, effective January 1, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002).
10.3*    Second Amendment to the Avon Products, Inc. Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, effective January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.4*    Form of U.S. Stock Option Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004).
10.5*    Form of U.S. Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).
10.6*    Form of Revised U.S. Stock Option Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2005).
10.7*    Form of Revised U.S. Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2005).
10.8*    Avon Products, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan approved by stockholders on May 5, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Appendix G to Avon’s Proxy Statement filed on May 5, 2005).
10.9*    First Amendment of the Avon Products, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, effective January 1, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).
10.10*    Second Amendment of the Avon Products, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, effective January 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).
10.11*    Third Amendment to the Avon Products, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, dated October 2, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.12*    Form of U.S. Stock Option Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. Year 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2005).
10.13*    Form of U.S. Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. Year 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2005).
10.14*    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2008).
10.15*    Form of Retention Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2008).
10.16*    Avon Products, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix E to Avon’s Proxy Statement as filed on March 25, 2010).
10.17*    Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2010).

 

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10.18*    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2010).
10.19*    Form of Retention Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2010).
10.20*    Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of Avon Products, Inc., as amended and restated as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.21*    Avon Products, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
10.22*    First Amendment, dated as of December 7, 2010, to the Avon Products, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2008.
10.23*    Avon Products, Inc. Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, amended and restated as of May 6, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Avon’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).
10.24*    Board of Directors of Avon Products, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, amended and restated as of May 6, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Avon’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010).
10.25*    Avon Products, Inc. 2008-2012 Executive Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2008).
10.26*    Benefit Restoration Pension Plan of Avon Products, Inc., as amended and restated as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.27*    First Amendment, dated as of December 13, 2010, to the Benefit Restoration Pension Plan of Avon Products, Inc., as amended and restated as of January 1, 2009
10.28*    Trust Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1998, between Avon and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Trustee, relating to the grantor trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004).
10.29*    Amendment to Trust Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.30*    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Andrea Jung, dated December 5, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 8, 2008).
10.31*    Separation Agreement, between Elizabeth Smith and Avon Products, Inc., dated September 16, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 17, 2009).
10.32*    Employment Letter Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2005, between Avon and Charles W. Cramb (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on November 16, 2005).
10.33*    Amendment to Employment Letter Agreement, effective as of December 3, 2008 between Avon and Charles W. Cramb (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).

 

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10.34*    Form of Performance Contingent Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Avon Products, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan for the Chief Executive Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2006).
10.35*    Employment Letter Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2005, between Avon and Charles Herington (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.36*    Amendment to Employment Letter Agreement, effective as of November 24, 2008 between Avon and Charles Herington (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.37*    Employment Letter Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2008, between Avon and Kim Rucker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).
10.38*    Supplemental Life Plan of Avon Products, Inc., amended and restated as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.39*    Pre-1990 Supplemental Life Plan of Avon Products, Inc., amended and restated as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.40*    Avon Products, Inc. Management Incentive Plan, effective as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).
10.41*    Avon Products, Inc. Compensation Recoupment Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2010).
10.42*    Avon Products, Inc. Change in Control Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2010).
10.43    Guarantee of Avon Products, Inc. dated as of August 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2005).
10.44    Revolving Credit and Competitive Advance Facility Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2010, among Avon Products, Inc., Avon Capital Corporation, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 5, 2010).
10.45    Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2010, among the Company and the purchasers of its 2.60% Senior Notes, Series A, due November 23, 2015, 4.03% Senior Notes, Series B, due November 23, 2020 and 4.18% Senior Notes, Series C, due November 23, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 29, 2010).
10.46    Credit Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2010, among Avon Products, Inc., Avon Capital Corporation and Citibank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Avon’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2010).
21    Subsidiaries of the registrant.
23    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Vice Chairman, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2   Certification of Vice Chairman, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101**   The following materials formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and (vi) Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.

 

* The Exhibits identified above with an asterisk (*) are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

 

** Furnished, not filed.

Avon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, at the time of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, shall modify and supersede all prior documents filed pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for purposes of any offers or sales of any securities after the date of such filing pursuant to any Registration Statement or Prospectus filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, which incorporates by reference such Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 24th day of February 2011.

 

Avon Products, Inc.
/s/ Stephen Ibbotson
Stephen Ibbotson
Group Vice President and
Corporate Controller - Principal
Accounting Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    ANDREA JUNG        

Andrea Jung

  

Chairman of the Board and Chief

Executive Officer – Principal Executive

Officer

  February 24, 2011

/S/    CHARLES W. CRAMB        

Charles W. Cramb

  

Vice Chairman, Chief Finance and

Strategy Officer – Principal Financial

Officer

  February 24, 2011

/S/    STEPHEN IBBOTSON        

Stephen Ibbotson

  

Group Vice President and Corporate

Controller – Principal Accounting

Officer

  February 24, 2011

/S/    W. DON CORNWELL         

W. Don Cornwell

  

Director

  February 24, 2011

/S/    V. ANN HAILEY        

V. Ann Hailey

  

Director

  February 24, 2011

/S/    FRED HASSAN        

Fred Hassan

  

Director

  February 24, 2011

/S/    MARIA ELENA LAGOMASINO        

Maria Elena Lagomasino

  

Director

  February 24, 2011

/S/    ANN S. MOORE        

Ann S. Moore

  

Director

  February 24, 2011

/S/    PAUL S. PRESSLER        

Paul S. Pressler

  

Director

  February 24, 2011

/S/    GARY M. RODKIN        

Gary M. Rodkin

  

Director

  February 24, 2011

/S/    PAULA STERN        

Paula Stern

  

Director

  February 24, 2011

/S/    LAWRENCE A. WEINBACH        

Lawrence A. Weinbach

  

Director

  February 24, 2011

 

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AVON PRODUCTS, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE

 

     Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    F-2

Consolidated Financial Statements:

  

Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010

   F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2010 and 2009

   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010

   F-5

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010

   F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-7 – F-44

Financial Statement Schedule:

  

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

   F-45

 

F-1


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Avon Products, Inc.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Avon Products Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, appearing in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 24, 2011

 

F-2


Table of Contents

AVON PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

(In millions, except per share data)                   

Years ended December 31

   2010     2009     2008  

Net sales

   $ 10,731.3      $ 10,084.8      $ 10,385.1   

Other revenue

     131.5        120.4        122.4   
                        

Total revenue

     10,862.8        10,205.2        10,507.5   

Costs, expenses and other:

      

Cost of sales

     4,041.3        3,825.5        3,883.9   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     5,748.4        5,374.1        5,299.1   
                        

Operating profit

     1,073.1        1,005.6        1,324.5   
                        

Interest expense

     87.1        104.8        100.4   

Interest income

     (14.0     (20.2     (37.1

Other expense, net

     54.6        7.3        38.2   
                        

Total other expenses

     127.7        91.9        101.5   
                        

Income from continuing operations, before taxes

     945.4        913.7        1,223.0   

Income taxes

     350.2        294.5        340.5   
                        

Income from continuing operations, net of tax

     595.2        619.2        882.5   

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     14.1        9.0        (6.9
                        

Net Income

     609.3        628.2        875.6   

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (3.0     (2.4     (.3
                        

Net income attributable to Avon

   $ 606.3      $ 625.8      $ 875.3   
                        

Earnings per share:

      

Basic from continuing operations

   $ 1.37      $ 1.43      $ 2.04   

Basic from discontinued operations

     .04        .02        (.01

Basic attributable to Avon

   $ 1.40      $ 1.45      $ 2.04   

Diluted from continuing operations

   $ 1.36      $ 1.43      $ 2.03   

Diluted from discontinued operations

     .03        .02        (.01

Diluted attributable to Avon

   $ 1.39      $ 1.45      $ 2.03   

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

      

Basic

     428.75        426.90        426.36   

Diluted

     431.35        428.54        428.25   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

F-3


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AVON PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(In millions, except per share data)

December 31

   2010     2009  

Assets

    

Current assets

    

Cash, including cash equivalents of $572.0 and $670.5

   $ 1,179.9      $ 1,298.1   

Accounts receivable (less allowances of $232.0 and $165.1)

     826.3        765.7   

Inventories

     1,152.9        1,049.8   

Prepaid expenses and other

     1,025.2        1,042.3   

Current assets of discontinued operations

     —          50.3   
                

Total current assets

   $ 4,184.3      $ 4,206.2   
                

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

    

Land

     69.2        115.9   

Buildings and improvements

     1,140.2        954.2   

Equipment

     1,541.5        1435.8   
                
     2,750.9        2,505.9   

Less accumulated depreciation

     (1,123.5     (1,036.9
                
     1,627.4        1,469.0   

Goodwill

     675.1        215.5   

Other intangible assets, net

     368.3        13.8   

Other assets

     1,018.6        846.1   

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

     —          72.8   
                

Total assets

   $ 7,873.7      $ 6,823.4   
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities

    

Debt maturing within one year

   $ 727.6      $ 137.8   

Accounts payable

     809.8        739.0   

Accrued compensation

     293.2        282.6   

Other accrued liabilities

     771.6        706.3   

Sales and taxes other than income

     207.6        254.1   

Income taxes

     146.5        134.5   

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

     —          37.4   
                

Total current liabilities

     2,956.3        2,291.7   
                

Long-term debt

     2,408.6        2,307.2   

Employee benefit plans

     561.3        577.8   

Long-term income taxes

     128.9        147.6   

Other liabilities

     146.0        174.4   

Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations

     —          12.1   
                

Total liabilities

   $ 6,201.1      $ 5,510.8   
                

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14 and 16)

    

Shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock, par value $.25 – authorized 1,500 shares; Issued 743.3 and 740.9 shares

   $ 186.6      $ 186.1   

Additional paid-in capital

     2,024.2        1,941.0   

Retained earnings

     4,610.8        4,383.9   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (605.8     (692.6

Treasury stock, at cost (313.8 and 313.4 shares)

     (4,559.3     (4,545.8
                

Total Avon shareholders’ equity

     1,656.5        1,272.6   
                

Noncontrolling interest

     16.1        40.0   
                

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,672.6      $ 1,312.6   
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 7,873.7      $ 6,823.4   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

AVON PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(In millions)                   

Years ended December 31

   2010     2009     2008  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

      

Net income

   $ 609.3      $ 628.2      $ 875.6   

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     (14.1     (9.0     6.9   
                        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 595.2      $ 619.2      $ 882.5   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation

     145.2        127.8        136.4   

Amortization

     49.6        47.5        45.2   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     215.7        221.2        195.1   

Provision for obsolescence

     131.1        120.0        79.4   

Share-based compensation

     57.6        54.9        54.8   

Foreign exchange losses (gains)

     1.3        (1.5     18.7   

Deferred income taxes

     (103.1     (166.3     (85.6

Charge for Venezuelan monetary assets and liabilities

     46.1        —          —     

Other

     31.5        57.6        52.3   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     (281.9     (259.5     (182.4

Inventories

     (189.8     (127.8     (172.2

Prepaid expenses and other

     (3.3     (90.4     (154.6

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     76.7        145.0        (138.0

Income and other taxes

     (63.2     16.1        47.4   

Noncurrent assets and liabilities

     (19.7     (9.1     (45.1
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

     689.0        754.7        733.9   
                        

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

      

Capital expenditures

     (331.2     (296.3     (377.4

Disposal of assets

     11.9        11.2        13.4   

Acquisitions and other investing activities

     (785.8     5.8        (77.7

Proceeds from sale of investments

     11.3        61.9        41.4   

Purchases of investments

     (1.9     (.9     —     
                        

Net cash used by investing activities of continuing operations

     (1,095.7     (218.3     (400.3
                        

Cash Flows from Financing Activities*

      

Cash dividends

     (384.1     (364.7     (346.7

Debt, net (maturities of three months or less)

     (3.6     (507.6     (216.9

Proceeds from debt

     661.5        957.8        572.3   

Repayment of debt

     (53.2     (450.5     (73.9

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     23.9        13.1        81.4   

Excess tax benefit realized from share-based compensation

     4.3        (.7     15.1   

Repurchase of common stock

     (14.1     (8.6     (172.1
                        

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities of continuing operations

     234.7        (361.2     (140.8
                        

Cash Flows from Discontinued Operations

      

Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations

     13.0        27.3        14.2   

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities of discontinued operations

     61.3        (.6     (3.1

Net cash used by financing activities of discontinued operations

     (.3     (.6     (.7
                        

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents

     (33.7     5.6        (61.9
                        

Net change in cash and equivalents

     (131.7     206.9        141.3   
                        

Cash and equivalents at beginning of year (1)

   $ 1,311.6      $ 1,104.7      $ 963.4   

Cash and equivalents at end of year (2)

   $ 1,179.9      $ 1,311.6      $ 1,104.7   

Cash paid for:

      

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

   $ 133.4      $ 127.5      $ 99.6   

Income taxes, net of refunds received

   $ 387.3      $ 377.9      $ 386.4   

 

* Non-cash financing activities included the change in fair market value of interest rate swap agreements of $66.8 in 2010, $(55.7) in 2009, and $83.6 in 2008 (see Note 5, Debt and Other Financing).
(1) – Includes cash and cash equivalent of discontinued operations of $13.5, $3.2 and $9.9 at the beginning of the year in 2010, 2009 and 2008 respectively.
(2) – Includes cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations of $13.5 and $3.2 at the end of the year in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

AVON PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

     Common Stock      Additional     Retained     Accumulated Other     Treasury Stock     Noncontrolling        

(In millions, except per share data)

   Shares      Amount      Paid –In Capital     Earnings     Comprehensive Loss     Shares     Amount     Interest     Total  

Balances at December 31, 2007

     736.26       $ 184.7       $ 1,724.6      $ 3,586.5      $ (417.0     308.56      $ (4,367.2   $ 38.2      $ 749.8   

Comprehensive income:

                    

Net income

             875.3              .3        875.6   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

               (318.3         6.0        (312.3

Changes in available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $3

               (.7           (.7

Amortization of unrecognized actuarial losses, prior service credit, and transition obligation, net of taxes of $10.2

               20.1              20.1   

Net actuarial gains and prior service cost arising during 2008, net of taxes of $119.4

               (240.5           (240.5

Net derivative losses on cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $5.1

               (9.5           (9.5
                          

Total comprehensive income

                       332.7   

Dividends - $.80 per share

             (342.9             (342.9

Exercise / vesting and expense of share-based compensation

     3.16         .9         134.4            (.10     1.5          136.8   

Repurchase of common stock

                 4.61        (172.1       (172.1

Purchases and sales of noncontrolling interests, net of dividends paid of $7.1

                     (7.1     (7.1

Income tax benefits – stock transactions

           15.1                  15.1   
                                                                          

Balances at December 31, 2008

     739.42       $ 185.6       $ 1,874.1      $ 4,118.9      $ (965.9     313.07      $ (4,537.8   $ 37.4      $ 712.3   
                                                                          

Comprehensive income:

                    

Net income

             625.8              2.4        628.2   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

               193.1            (.3     192.8   

Changes in available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $0.1

               .3              .3   

Amortization of unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service credit, net of taxes of $12.2

               30.4              30.4   

Net actuarial losses and prior service cost arising during 2009, net of taxes of $26.4

               41.1              41.1   

Net derivative losses on cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $4.7

               8.4              8.4   
                          

Total comprehensive income

                       901.2   

Dividends - $.84 per share

             (360.8             (360.8

Exercise / vesting and expense of share-based compensation

     1.48         .5         67.6            (.05     .6          68.7   

Repurchase of common stock

                 .40        (8.6       (8.6

Purchases and sales of noncontrolling interests, net of dividends paid of $4.8

                     .5        .5   

Income tax benefits – stock transactions

           (.7               (.7
                                                                          

Balances at December 31, 2009

     740.90       $ 186.1       $ 1,941.0      $ 4,383.9      $ (692.6     313.42      $ (4,545.8   $ 40.0      $ 1,312.6   
                                                                          

Comprehensive income:

                    

Net income

             606.3              3.0        609.3   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

               55.4            4.2        59.6   

Changes in available-for-sale securities, net of taxes

                    

Amortization of unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service credit, net of taxes of $12.2

               25.5              25.5   

Net actuarial losses and prior service cost arising during 2010, net of taxes of $5.1

               (8.8           (8.8

Sale of Avon Japan, net of taxes of $8.1

               10.6              10.6   

Net derivative losses on cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $2.2

               4.1              4.1