currency. Operating income margins were at 21.5 percent for the year, up over 2 percentage points versus 2008. In 2009, this business segment recorded charges of $13 million related to restructuring actions, with this charge comprised of employee-related liabilities for severance and benefits. 2008 includes $18 million in restructuring charges.

 

Fourth quarter and year 2008 results:

 

In the fourth quarter of 2008, Consumer and Office sales declined 9.6 percent to $796 million. Local currency sales were down 5 percent and currency impacts reduced sales by just under 5 percentage points. U.S. sales declined by 10 percent, heavily impacted by the slump in U.S. consumer retail spending levels. More than 50 percent of sales in Consumer and Office are generated within the United States. By far the biggest contributor to this decline was the retail and wholesale office channel. The combination of massive office worker layoffs, coupled with across-the-board declines in office retail foot traffic, had a dramatic and negative impact on sales. 3M businesses serving other U.S. retail channels performed well in the fourth quarter despite the tough economic environment. This business posted positive local-currency sales for its home care products, such as Scotch-Brite® Scrub Sponges, and for its do-it-yourself retail channel. Elsewhere around the globe, 3M’s Consumer and Office business drove positive local-currency sales growth in both Latin America and Asia Pacific, but overall growth was muted by declines in Europe. Worldwide operating income declined in the fourth quarter, including the impact of $18 million in restructuring charges, which contributed 11.1 percentage points of this 35.7 percent decline.

 

For total year 2008, Consumer and Office sales grew 2.4 percent. This business has successfully created new products and designed new programs and planograms with their large U.S. customers in order to mitigate what is a very tough end-market situation. Sales growth was led by home care and do-it-yourself products. Acquisitions, primarily the do-it-yourself retail market portion of 3M’s Aearo business, contributed 1.8 percentage points to sales growth. Operating income declined 3.8 percent and margins were in excess of 19 percent, a strong return considering the slow U.S. market environment and a synchronized slowdown in growth across most other areas of the world. Geographically, sales growth was led by Asia Pacific and Latin America. Operating income was negatively impacted by the $18 million in restructuring charges discussed in the preceding paragraph.

 

Safety, Security and Protection Services Business (13.8% of consolidated sales):

 

The Safety, Security and Protection Services segment serves a broad range of markets that increase the safety, security and productivity of workers, facilities and systems. Major product offerings include personal protection products, safety and security products (including border and civil security solutions), cleaning and protection products for commercial establishments, track and trace solutions, and roofing granules for asphalt shingles. In the second quarter of 2008, 3M completed the sale of its