Records were again smashed by Columbia Sportswear in the first quarter ended March 31, as sales increased by 10 percent to $525.1 million, up by 12 percent in constant currencies. The rise included sales growth of 7 percent to $51.3 million in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), up by 14 percent in constant currencies, along with sales increases of 18 percent in the U.S. and 4 percent in Canada, but with a decline of 10 percent to $101.8 million in the Latin America Asia Pacific region (LAAP). The group suffered a drop of more than 30 percent in its sales to South Korea and distributors in LAAP, while sales improved at a low single-digit rate in China and Japan. The Columbia, Sorel and Prana brands all raised their sales but Mountain Hardwear's turnover was flat. The group's operating profit margin reached 8.4 percent, down by 0.8 percentage points from a year ago, but its net profit jumped by 20 percent to $31.8 million for the quarter. For the full year, Columbia Sportswear is projecting a sales increase at a mid-single digit rate and an operating profit margin of up to 10.7 percent. More in The Outdoor Industry Compass.

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