We believe that a high degree of global economic uncertainty could have a further negative effect on consumer confidence, demand and spending. In addition, we believe that consumer spending on beauty products is influenced by general economic conditions and the availability of discretionary income. Accordingly, we may experience sustained periods of declines in sales during periods of economic downturn as it may affect consumer purchasing patterns. In addition, a further general economic downturn may result in further reduced traffic in our customers' stores which may, in turn, result in reduced net sales to our retail store customers. Any further material reduction in our sales could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
- Global Operations We are subject to risks related to our foreign operations, and a disruption in our operations or supply chain could adversely affect our business and financial results. We operate on a global basis, with a substantial portion of our net sales and net income generated outside the United States, and we anticipate for the foreseeable future that a substantial portion of our net sales and net income will be generated outside the United States. A substantial portion of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments that result from these earnings remain outside the United States. As a company engaged in manufacturing and distribution on a global scale, we are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including: - changes in foreign laws, regulations and policies, including restrictions on trade, import and export license requirements, and tariffs and taxes, as well as changes in United States laws and regulations relating to foreign trade and investment; and - industrial accidents, environmental events, strikes and other labor disputes, disruptions in supply chain or information technology, loss or impairment of key manufacturing sites or suppliers, product quality control, safety, as well as natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, social, economic and geopolitical conditions, such as terrorist attacks, war or other military action and other external factors over which we have no control. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. Risks Associated with Changes in International Trade Policies, Tariffs and Cross-Border Operations The US government has indicated its intent to adopt a new approach to trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements. It has initiated or is considering the imposition of tariffs on certain foreign goods, including fragrances and fragrance related products. Changes in US trade policy could result in one or more of US trading partners adopting responsive trade policies making it more difficult or costly for us to export our products to those countries. As an example, on February 1, 2025, the U.S. government announced a 25% tariff on product imports from certain countries, including Mexico and Canada, and 10% tariffs on product imports from certain countries, including China. Our business operations, financial condition, and results of operations could be significantly affected by these measures and the potential expansion of existing tariffs or implementation of new tariffs, trade restrictions, or retaliatory measures by China, Mexico, or Canada that could disrupt our established supply chain, increase costs of goods sold into the United States and this in turn could require us to increase prices to our customers which may reduce demand, or, if we are unable to increase prices, result in lowering our margin on products sold. We cannot predict future trade policy or the terms of any renegotiated trade agreements and their impact on our business. The adoption and expansion of trade restrictions, the occurrence of a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs or trade agreements or policies has the potential to adversely impact demand for our products, our costs, our customers, our suppliers, and the US economy, which in turn could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Terrorist attacks, acts of war or military actions, other civil unrest or natural disasters may adversely affect territories in which we operate, and therefore affect our business, financial condition and operating results. Terrorist attacks such as those that have previously occurred in Paris, France where we have our European headquarters, among other locations, and attempted terrorist attacks, military responses to terrorist attacks, other military actions, or governmental action in response to or in anticipation of a terrorist attack, or civil unrest as occurring in the Middle East and Africa or natural disasters, such as the recent wild fires in southern California, may adversely affect prevailing economic conditions. These events could result in work stoppages, reduced consumer spending or reduced demand for our products. These developments subject our worldwide operations to increased risks and, depending on their magnitude, could reduce net sales and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. The loss of or disruption in our distribution facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. We currently have several distribution facilities in Europe, China and the United States. The loss of any of those facilities, as well as the inventory stored in those facilities, would require us to find replacement facilities and assets. In addition, terrorist attacks or acts of God, such as extreme weather conditions, natural disasters and the like, could disrupt our distribution operations. If we cannot replace our distribution capacity and inventory in a timely, cost-efficient manner, then such failure could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.