PZ Cussons is leathered in Nigeria

PZ Cussons, maker of Imperial Leather soap, has warned of weak sales in Greece and Nigeria. Earlier this year, the firm said underlying profits would be 15 per cent lower than in 2011, partly because of struggles in its Australian and Nigerian markets.

It said yesterday: "The trading environment in Greece remains difficult." It added that Nigerian demand had been hit by a national strike and potential buyers having less cash. But it said UK trading was "robust".