Reliv 2Q bolstered by US sales
has delivered another strong set of quarterly results, but beneath
the glossy overall picture sales have slipped in some of its
international markets.
Sales in Mexico took a dramatic drop from $664,000 in the prior year period to $293,000, and in Malaysia and Singapore they were $490,000 - less than half what they were in 2Q 2004, the company's first full quarter in the market. Australia and New Zealand, and Philippines also saw sales fall this quarter.
But the US, which accounts for 91.4 percent of sales, experienced a 28 percent sales hike to $26 million - enough to compensate for the fall out elsewhere and deliver a 19 percent increase in sales across all markets.
Whilst the 2Q results are certainly no cause for concern (income from operations rose 62 percent to $3.27 million), they could cause eyebrows to be raised about the company's international expansion program.
Last month the company began trading in its twelfth market, Germany.
"It is an extremely attractive market for us," said president and CEO Robert Montgomery, "not only because it is one of the top five countries in the world for direct selling, but it also represents our first foray into continental Europe. We are excited about the opportunity to build a growing presence for Reliv in this largely untapped market."
A look at the company's other European market, the UK and Ireland, might quell concerns about the wisdom of expansion in the region.
Reliv saw sales of $235,000 in 2Q - 62 percent up on the same three months of last year. This growth is all the more remarkable as it comes in a market where direct selling is traditionally not so well received as it is in others.
