Hema posts 4.8 percent decline in Q2 apparel sales

Hhema’s net group sales increased in the second quarter by 3.5 percent to 296.4 million euros (324.7 million dollars) from the same period a year earlier. The company said in a statement that like-for-like sales increased by 1.6 percent. Hema added that sales growth was driven by 11.9 percent rise in sales of household and personal care products, 16.6 percent increase in Hema’s online sales, 06 percent rise in food sales. However, the company said, in line with the weak development of the overall apparel market, apparel sales decreased by 4.8 percent.

Commenting on the second quarter trading, Tjeerd Jegen, CEO of Hema said: “Hema performed well in the second quarter, despite the adverse impact of the exceptional warm weather in the last two weeks of the quarter. We have reported solid sales growth and also our EBITDA has improved. We are in talks with potential partners in Europe, Asia and North America to expand our reach.”

Hema’s net loss widens in Q2

The company further said that gross margin remained at the same level as in the same period a year earlier at 46.3 percent, while net loss was 14.1 million euros (15.4 million dollars) compared to 10.2 million euros in the same period a year earlier due to the transition to IFRS 16 lease. However, EBITDA improved to 47.8 million euros (52.3 million dollars) compared to 15.3 million euros in the prior year period.

Hema’s international sales increased by 26.1 percent in Germany, 4.3 percent in France and 3.5 percent in Belgium and Luxembourg due to higher online sales and like-for-like sales growth. In the quarter, the company opened five stores outside the Netherlands: one in Germany and one in Austria and three stores in the Middle East in cooperation with its franchise partner: a store in Dubai, Qatar and Sharjah.

Picture:Facebook/Hema