Ahlers reports quarterly sales uptick on 'premium brands' growth

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Jun 23, 2016

Ahlers, which has long held licenses for Pierre Cardin, saw second-quarter revenues grow 3.5% on the back of ​Baldessarini, Pierre Cardin and Pioneer Authentic Jeans growth.

The German men’s ready-to-wear company said in a statement quarterly sales were projected to remain flat or slightly decline following a decline in the first quarter. It added that the increase in the second quarter offset the decline in the first three months.

Sales revenues for the first six months of the fiscal 2016 amounted to 118.3 million euros, up 0.2% on the same period last year.

Ahlers' core brands saw significant growth in the first half of the year: Baldessarini (+6%), Pierre Cardin (+2%) and Pioneer Authentic Jeans (+12%).

Despite a declining German, as well as overseas, increased group sales via the firm's wholesale business lifted revenues across all brands. Simultaneously, the company's own retail activities grew by 6%. The highest growth rate was posted by the e-commerce segment, up 17%.

As a result, Ahlers said it generated EBIT before special effects of 2.2 million euros, compared to 0.7 million euros in the prior year period (+214%).

Looking ahead, sales revenues are expected to remain stable for the next six months. Ahler said it expects its premium brands segment (Pierre Cardin, Baldessarini, Otto Kern) and jeans, casual & workwear segments to grow some 3% collectively by end of year.