The small vertical collection G.W. is also gaining in importance. Originally designed for the HOUSES OF GERRY WEBER, the sublabel is meanwhile sold by 250 wholesale customers.
Sales of TAIFUN-Collection, the young fashion brand, and of SAMOON-Collection, the brand for plus sizes, were slightly lower than in the previous year. At 49.5 percent, the strongest increase in sales was reported by the retail segment, which comprises the revenues of the 52 HOUSES OF GERRY WEBER managed by the company itself and is the Group's fastest-growing segment.
The increase was attributable to both the opening of many new HOUSES OF GERRY WEBER and to growth in the existing stores. The strong sales growth in the first half of 2006/2007 was again accompanied by clearly improved profitability.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were up 19.3 percent on the previous year to EUR 25.3 million. The operating result (EBIT) climbed 13.8 percent to EUR 20.8 million. The EBIT margin reached 8.8 percent, which represents an increase by 0.2 percentage points as compared to the previous year.
The result from ordinary activities (EBT) rose by 14.1 percent to EUR 18.6 million. At EUR 10.7 million, net profit was up 9.6 percent on the previous year. DVFA earnings per share rose by EUR 0.04 to EUR 0.45. Apart from optimised operational processes, the increased profitability was mainly attributable to the efficient procurement structures, which allow the company to respond fast and flexibly to changes in the procurement markets.
The GERRY WEBER Group continued to expand its workforce in the first half of 2006/2007. As of the reporting date, the number of employees rose from 1,798 in the previous year to 1,955 as of April 30, 2007. Most of the new jobs were created in the retail segment.
Gerry Weber International AG
marketing@alchempro.com
