The Lafuma group saw its turnover increase by about 8 percent to €132.1 million, as ample gains by the group's outdoor brands more than made up for a sharp decline in the sales of the Oxbow surf brand. The expansion was largely driven by international sales, which jumped by 15.8 percent to €55.3 million, compared with a rise of 3.0 percent to €76.8 million in France.
The group's growth outside France was whipped up by a sales increase of 50 percent in Asia. The company said it would focus its investments on the development of its brands in this region, while continuing to improve its management and financing structure.
The Lafuma brand itself lifted its sales by 10.9 percent to €47.0 million for the six months. It was stimulated by stronger sales of camping furniture, up by 17 percent, and a rise of 20 percent in its international sales, driven by northern Europe and Asia.
The mountain unit, comprising the Millet and Eider brands, even enjoyed a sales jump of 19.8 percent to €48.2 million for the period. The unit was stimulated by favorable weather conditions at the end of the winter season. They strongly benefitted the Millet brand, which lifted its sales by 26 percent, while international sales for the entire mountain unit climbed by 19.3 percent.
On the other hand, the surf unit's sales shrank by 9.7 percent to €27.1 million. The company pointed out that the surf market was getting tighter and that its performance had improved in the second quarter, pushed by the performance of its stores, which increased their sales by 10 percent. As the company sees it, this confirms that the Oxbow brand continues to appeal to consumers.
The growth was more subdued in the country unit, consisting of Le Chameau, as sales crept up by 1.1 percent to €9.7 million. Its order book is well-filled for all product categories, so that the unit's sales should grow faster in the second half of the fiscal year.
