- Huw Hughes
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Finnish fashion group Stockmann has reported a half-year loss following
store closures tied to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company reported a loss of 3.1 million euros, compared to a profit
of 10.2 million euros for the first half of last year. Its revenue for the
period was 182.7 million euros, down 23.2 percent from last year. However,
the company’s sales were “better than expected” in March–June, especially
across home and beauty categories.
The group, which owns Swedish fashion chain Lindex, filed for corporate
restructuring in April after experiencing a “significant” impact from the
Covid-19. CEO Jari Latvanen said Friday that “swift adjustment measures”
across both Lindex and Stockmann, on top of last year’s savings programme,
have managed to reduce the group’s fixed costs by around 35 million euros
compared to last year.
Latvanen also said the group continues to experience “strong” growth. In
the first half of the year, Stockmann division delivered more online store
orders than throughout the whole of last year, and it launched around 50
new brands. In the second quarter, Lindex’s online store was up 102
percent.
“We will continue to develop our operations with a strong focus on the
customer, upgrade our digital service channels in both divisions, continue
to renew the Stockmann department stores and to bring out new brands for
our customers on a regular basis,” Latvanen said.
Photo credit: Lindex, Facebook
