The Berlin optician chain Mister Spex SE was able to meet its own expectations in the 2024 financial year. According to preliminary figures, sales and operating result were within the framework of the forecasts, the company announced on Thursday.
Accordingly, net sales were 216 million euros last year, which corresponded to a decline of three percent compared to 2023. The minus is “mainly due to the closure of international stores in the fourth quarter” and “was within the forecast range of 210 million euros to 230 million euros,” said the glasses dealer. The proceeds have grown by two percent on a comparable area.
According to the company, the result, which is adjusted for special effects before interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA) for 2024, is “as expected negative, but remains within the forecast span”. The glasses dealer had targeted an adjusted EBITDA margin in the range of +1 percent to -4 percent.
CEO Stephan Schulz-Gohritz praises “important progress”
CEO Stephan Schulz-Gohritz, given the current figures, drew a positive interim balance of the ongoing reform efforts. “The year 2024 was a year of the course for Mister Spex. With our transformation and restructuring program SPEXFOCUS, we have taken decisive steps to set up our business model future-proof and to increase our profitability in the long term, ”he said in a statement. “Despite the challenges associated with a comprehensive transformation, we were able to comply with our forecasts and at the same time make important progress – especially in our core German market.”
The company announced that it would “consistently continue” its reform concept “Spexfocus” in the current year. “The focus is on increasing the profitability of the stores in Germany, the further reduction of overhead costs, the strengthening of the brand and the optical expertise as well as the improvement of the cash flow,” says a message.