The Swiss laundry group Calida Holding AG had to accept significant loss of sales in the first six months of the 2025 financial year. Thanks to the sale of the outdoor furniture division Lafuma Mobilier, the bottom line was that there was a higher profit. In its half -year report published on Thursday, the group of companies also emphasized that they wanted to continue their strategic course.
“In a continued demanding market environment, the Calida Group once again demonstrated its resistance and innovative strength,” said CEO Thomas Stöcklin in a statement. “The measures initiated for operational optimization and focus on the core values are progressing accordingly, but need time to develop all of their potential.”
The CEO therefore warned to be patient: “Only when the markets calm down and the consumers trust again will the strategic course become increasingly effective,” emphasized Stöcklin.
All group brands have to accept loss of sales
From January to June, the group turnover from continued business areas – i.e. without the contributions of the Lafuma Mobilier division sold in the summer of 2024 to Peugeot Frères Industry – was CHF 101.7 million (CHF 109.0 million). This corresponded to a decline of 8.6 percent compared to the same period last year. Adjusted to change course changes, the proceeds shrank by 7.1 percent.
Sales missed the previous year’s level for all group brands. The core brand Calida recorded a minus of 5.5 percent (currency -adjusted -4.4 percent) to CHF 66.0 million. Aubade revenues fell by 10.2 percent (currency -adjusted -8.5 percent) to 28.9 million Swiss francs, which, according to the company, was primarily due to the “weak home market in France”.
With the US label Cosabella, sales even slipped by 26.0 percent (currency -adjusted -23.5 percent) to CHF 6.8 million. “Repositioning Cosabella as well as the organizational and structural restructuring in the brand’s business still takes time,” admitted the group. The significant decline in sales in the first half of the year is, among other things, to “delays in the production of the first newly developed product series”, the “conscious waiver of unprofitable sales” and the “great economic and trading policy uncertainties”.
The sale of Lafuma Mobilier ensures a higher profit
Due to the decline in sales and a lower margin, the result, which was adjusted for special effects, shrank from interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA) from continued business areas from 2.7 to CHF 1.2 million.
The lust for net from continued business areas increased from 1.0 to almost 2.0 million Swiss francs. Thanks to the income from the sale of Lafuma Mobilier, however, the group was able to increase its net profit due to shareholders from 1.2 to 1.4 million Swiss francs (EUR 1.5 million).
Management relies on the effects of the current strategy
Management now continues to focus on the effects of ongoing reforms; “The strategy with a focus on operational excellence and a positioning of the brands in the premium area will continue to be pursued in a targeted manner in the second half of the year,” said the company. “Despite the challenging market situation, a solid operational result at the level of the previous year is expected for the overall year.”
With regard to the future development, the group was confident: “The growth impulses will gradually intensify: The organic development of the core brands Calida and Aubade underline the potential of the brand portfolio. At the same time, the development of Cosabella in the US market is targeted,” says a message.