The Schwan-Stabilo company, which specializes in stationery, cosmetics and outdoor products, has again recorded a decline in sales. In the 2024/25 financial year, revenue fell by around 5 percent to almost 758 million euros compared to the same period last year, the manufacturer in Heroldsberg, Central Franconia, announced. He generally does not provide any information about the result.
The company recorded the largest declines of around 10 percent to almost 189 million euros in its outdoor business, which includes the brands Deuter (backpacks), Gonso (bicycles), Maier Sports (ski clothing) and Ortovox (mountain sports). Schwan-Stabilo cited market saturation, full warehouses and the tense situation in sports retailers as reasons.
Refrain from hiring new employees
In the Stabilo pen segment, known for its highlighters and fineliners, sales fell by almost 7 percent to almost 214 million euros. “Like the entire industry, we are also feeling the effects of digitalization,” said Stabilo boss Horst Brinkmann. In addition, there is a cautious consumer mood. In the cosmetics division alone, the company was able to keep its sales roughly at the same level as the previous year, with a decline of 1 percent to around 369 million euros.
For the current financial year, the company expects the markets to slowly stabilize. Because of the market conditions, it wants to pay particular attention to cost efficiency. Among other things, there will be no new hires worldwide for the time being. Schwan-Stabilo employs around 5,200 people, including almost 2,300 in Germany.