Sports and outdoors equipment Manufacturer Lafuma announces results for Q1 fiscal year 2007-08 includes 4 aspects:
Sales were practically stable at +0.4% (+1.8% at an even exchange rate). At the same time, orders registered over the 1st quarter were up 2%. This corresponds to a market that is more focused on destocking rather than restocking, and for the Group, a qualitative selection of its products and customers in order to reinforce the increase in its margins.
Business for 3 out of 4 divisions are stable and satisfactory with two exceptions: more positive results at one end of the spectrum with growth of 7.6% at Oxbow, and more negative at the other for « special markets » where delays have impacted Group sales by -1.5% compared to the previous year, solely due to the business season being pushed forward.
The sports market appears to be undergoing deep changes symbolized by the weak business activity in the generalist sector compared to the increases in our stores (+18%) and the success of our e-business sites (ns in % as they were launched in November 2006.)
And lastly, the Group has been accelerating its adaptation to this new market data in order to leverage performance in 2008 and embark on its new development phase.
Lafuma SA is a France-based company engaged in the provision of sports and outdoors equipment. The Company has four principal divisions: Lafuma, Millet, Le Chameau and Oxbow. Lafuma manufactures general outdoor and walking equipment, including clothing, shoes, rucksacks, sleeping bags, tents and camping equipment.