What do consumers want now? P&G bets on beard oil, cleaners

NEW YORK (AP) — Procter & Gamble is cleaning up during the pandemic.

The company's sales were up last year, since it happens to make just about everything people needed while staying at home: Charmin toilet paper, Bounty paper towels and Tide laundry detergent.

One new product came at the right time: Disinfectant spray Microban 24 was released in February 2020, just before U.S. lockdowns began and as people rushed to find cleaning products that could keep surfaces and door knobs germ-free.

“This product, as you can imagine, is on fire right now,” said Marc Pritchard, P&G’s chief brand officer.

Not so hot: Gillette razors. Sales have slumped as men skip their morning shave routines while they work from home instead of the office. It is now selling beard oils and balms, a major shift for a brand that has promoted clean-shaven faces for more than a century.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Pritchard talked about people's shaving habits and how P&G is creating products for consumers who are home more. The questions and answers below have been edited for clarity and length.

Q: Are people shaving during the pandemic?

A: They’re still shaving, just not as frequently. For those who want beards, we’ve introduced King C. Gillette, which is a beard care product. We’re really covering all the needs when it comes to shaving.

Q: Has P&G sold beard grooming products before?

A: On a very minor basis. But this was the first one designed to make sure that it really focused on people that wanted beard care. It's got ways to condition the beard, ways to trim, it's got the whole thing.

Q: Did the company see a need for a new disinfectant with Microban 24? Was the timing lucky?

A: The consumer need for keeping surfaces clean and free of...