Alcon posts 3 per cent FY sales growth

Global sales at Alcon increased last year thanks in part to new contact lens products, which offset a slump in solutions sales.

The company’s 2014 net sales grew 3 per cent to $10.8bn, with growth driven by key product launches including AirOptix Colors, parent company Novartis reported last week.

Regionally, sales were driven by strong performance in emerging growth markets, led by Asia where sales increased 13 per cent.

Revenue at the company’s vision care unit increased 2 per cent to $2.5bn, with contact lens sales growing 6 per cent driven by key launches.

However, Alcon added that overall contact lens care solutions sales declined 7 per cent, amid market shifts to daily disposable lenses and competitive pressure in the US.