The decline in sales revenues is due to growing competition. Moreover the Spanish real estate crisis has led to hesitant buying in the company's second largest market. For this reason it is assumed that like for like sales will also exhibit a slight decline in the subsequent three months.
In the current fiscal year expansion will continue. As of 31 March 2008, the shop network increased from 1,005 to 1,015 stores. Bijou Brigitte plans 80 new store openings throughout the group for 2008 as a whole. The focus of expansion will be other European countries.
Other markets like Scandinavia and Eastern Europe offer development perspectives for the future.
As a result of growth in the store network, the group expects continued positive business development with a high level of earnings.