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Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) announced their fourth quarter and full years 2008 sales and profit numbers. Despite the faltering economy, the news and numbers were not all bad.

While sales increased in the fourth quarter, the company said that sales were negatively impacted by poor foreign exchange rates. This caused a sales decreased of 10% percent compared to 2007.

 its profit for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 27 reached $65.8 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, up from $54.9 million, or 88 cents per diluted share, from the same period in 2007, helped by the disposal of assets.

The increased profit came as sales dropped 10 percent year over year. It had sales of $521.7 million during quarter, down from $576.9 million the year before.

For the full year, the Kissimmee-based company (NYSE: TUP) had a net income of $161.4 million, or $2.56 per share, compared to a net income of $116.9 million, or $1.87 per share. Sales for the year were $2.16 billion, up from $1.98 billion in 2007.

Chairman and CEO, Rick Goings commented, “We were pleased to hold our own in the fourth quarter in light of the difficult external environment. Sales in our emerging market businesses increased 11% in local currency and our established market businesses were down 4% in local currency in the quarter. Among our established markets, France was a stand out on the positive side and we were pleased to have a 5% local currency increase in company sales by Tupperware United States and Canada. We were also pleased to be able to reduce our outstanding debt in 2008, while continuing to support our 88 cent per share annual dividend, which reflected the strong cash flow that our business generates.”

Tupperware held its conference call on February 4th and is now archived for all of you who would like to listen in to it on www.tupperwarebrands.com

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The Tupperware Brands Corporation  has just been given an impressive award honoring the company’s success in developing a brand that has become one of the most iconic brands of the last century. The company was recognized specifically for its achievements in India, China and Indonesia, by Superbrands, Business Week and Hers Magazines.

Superbrands, a publication that recognizing exceptional brands in over 80 countries, complemented the plastic organizational good company for their dedication and commitment to providing quality products and services in the Indian Market.

Hers Magazine recognized Tupperware for its growth in China as well as naming it the top company in the kitchen tools category in the annual, “Quality of Life:2008 Top 100 Women’s Favorite Brands” survey. Tupperware beat out over 500 international and local brands to capture top honors.
In addition to honors in India and China, Tupperware was recognized in Indonesia by Business Week, being voted “Company with the Best Corporate Image” in the Direct Selling category in an annual consumer survey.

In all of the above surveys and honors, Tupperware was recognized the quality of the products they sell as well as dedication to social causes, performance of the company and attractiveness of products as well as opportunity the company provides.

Tupperware CEO and Chairman, Rick Goings, was thrilled with the honors, especially since Tupperware is relatively new in these markets. “Tupperware has grown tremendously in several global markets, including India, China and Indonesia and it’s an honor to be recognized for our success from some of the most prestigious organizations throughout the world. It’s still early innings for us in these emerging markets, but the brand is already recognized and respected, which is incredibly encouraging.”

“These awards demonstrate that the power of our Tupperware brand continues to expand globally. It is one of the things enabling us to grow so quickly in the 50% of our business that is now coming from emerging market economies,” said Rick Goings. “We’re looking forward to further strengthening the Tupperware brand in the future throughout the international community.”

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Tupperware CEO Rick Goings made an appearance on a CBS News this week, in a series entitled “Hard Times.” The series deals with the downturn in the economy and challenges faced by many to keep their families afloat. Goings discussed with CBS Anchor, Kelly Cobiela, the history of the company and what contributes to the continuing growth in Tupperware Company. Goings says that not only has the stock risen to a 10-year high, but the sales force continues to grow. Since 2005 the sales force has grown almost 10 percent and sales in the last year were up almost 14 percent.

The CBS segment also featured the struggling family of Yevette Rivera. With only once income coming in, she turned to Tupperware to help make ends meet. Rivera’s story was compared to another top earner for the company who earns $60,000 dollars a year and drives a free car. While Rivera is only making $300 to $600 a month currently, she is optimistic about the future.

Goings discussed why he thinks the company has experienced higher growth in the last year, he explained, “When economists are soft, you usually have higher unemployment, and when there’s higher unemployment, there’s a bigger recruiting pool. And the number-one driver of direct-sell companies is recruiting a sales force.” The segment goes on to say that the slow down in the economy has led to a resurgence of the Tupperware “house party.”

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Tupperware Brands’ (NYSE: TUP) Chairman and CEO, Rick Goings, will be presenting at the Bear Stearns Retail, Restaurants & Consumer Conference in New York City on March 4, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

This presentation is being webcast and can be accessed at www.tupperwarebrands.com.

Tupperware Brands Corporation is a portfolio of global direct selling companies, selling premium innovative products across multiple brands and categories through an independent sales force of 2.1 million. Product brands and categories include design-centric preparation, storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home through the Tupperware brand and beauty and personal care products for consumers through the Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, Nuvo and Swissgarde brands.

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