The optician chain Fielmann expects further sales growth for the current year. However, investments are likely to have a negative impact on earnings, the company announced on Thursday in Hamburg. Because of the associated upfront costs, Fielmann expects an adjusted margin on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA margin) of around 23 percent, which corresponds to an adjusted EBITDA of around 590 million to 610 million euros. In the previous year, Fielmann achieved a corresponding margin of 23.8 percent.
Sales are expected to grow by five to seven percent to between 2.55 billion and 2.6 billion euros in 2026. Fielmann is relying on accelerated expansion and the introduction of AI-supported refraction technology in Europe to determine ametropia, as well as significantly expanded availability of vision tests in the USA.
In the first quarter, sales increased by 1.3 percent to 613 million euros. Adjusted EBITDA remained almost at the previous year’s level at 149 million euros. Fielmann was faced with extreme weather events both in Europe and in the north of the USA, which even made it necessary to close branches at times.