L’Oréal has hired bank Lazard to help it sell The Body Shop, the retailer of natural and ethical beauty products with sales of $1.02 billion. The Body Shop recorded a dip of 4.8 percent based on reported figures.

For its fourth quarter, L’Oréal’s sales grew 4.4 percent to $7.3 billion. On a like-for-like basis sales grew 4.8 percent. By division for the quarter, Consumer Products sales grew 3.3 percent to $3.24 billion; L’Oréal Luxe’s sales grew 8.4 percent, to $2.38 billion, while Professional Products revenues grew 2.2 percent to $935.2 million. Sales within Active Cosmetics grew 6.5 percent to $446.2 million.

For the year, sales at L’Oréal grew to $28.6 billion, up 2.3 percent on a reported basis, and a 4.7 percent increase on a like-for-like bases. Sales grew 5.1 percent at constant exchange rates. Operating profit grew to $5.03 billion, representing 17.6 percent of sales.

As for performance in various regions, L’Oréal increased its lead in North America. The beauty company has further accentuated its leadership in Europe, outperforming the market despite France’s downturn, while growth in new markets has “remained solid.”

E-commerce sales rose by 33 percent.

Here, a look at L’Oréal sales by division for the year:

The Professional Products Division recorded growth of 1.8 percent like-for-like. The division posted a contrasted year, with good growth in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Latin America, but a mixed performance in North America. The top growth contributor countries are India, Russia and the United Kingdom. The division’s four major brands are all growing. Hair color, the top growth contributor, is maintaining its momentum thanks to the core franchises Shades EQ by Redken, SoColor Beauty and Color Sync by Matrix, and Inoa and Dia by L’Oréal Professionnel. In skin care, the Decléor brand, which focuses on naturalness, has recorded double-digit growth.

The Consumer Products Division grew 4.4 percent on a comparable basis, and grew 1.3 percent based on reported figures. In make-up, the division achieved double-digit growth due to the success of NYX Professional Makeup and to the continuing development of Maybelline, L’Oréal Paris and Essie. In hair care, the worldwide rollout of Ultra Doux and the success of key Elsève launches, helped propel sales.

L’Oréal Luxe posted growth of 6.9 percent like-for-like and grew 6 percent based on reported figures. The division is outperforming the market and has been strengthened by the acquisition of Atelier Cologne and IT Cosmetics.Yves Saint Laurent saw sales break the one billion euro mark, helped by Black Opium and the new women’s perfume Mon Paris. Urban Decay, sold in 45 countries, is growing strongly, and is launching Vice Lipstick worldwide. The rise of Kiehl’s in skin care is continuing. Lancôme, the number one luxury brand for women, according to L’Oréal, posted another year of growth most notably with Absolu Rouge,Énergie de Vie skin care for Millennials and La Vie Est Belle, number one in Europe and already in the top five women’s fragrances in the United States.

Active Cosmetics grew 5.7 percent like-for-like and 2.4 percent based on reported figures. All geographic zones contributed to growth, with La Roche-Posay posting its seventh consecutive year of double-digit growth, with a strong contribution from its Effaclar, Cicaplast and Toleriane franchises. Vichy is rolling out Slow Âge, an innovative facial skin care line stemming from advances made by L’Oréal Research in the exposome field. SkinCeuticals is accelerating both in its home market and internationally, and its Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 launch is very well received. Lastly, Roger&Gallet is growing in Asia, particularly in Japan, and more recently in China.