Lafuma reported that sales for the fiscal year ended September 30 increased a modest 2.0% to 180.0 million ($219.1 mm) compared to 176.4 million ($191.2 mm) last year. LaFuma overcame a drop-off in its key French market with a 15.2% increase in footwear sales, a 20% increase in sales in the Asian region and the contribution of the recently acquired Ober brand. The French decline was primarily due to a leading retailers move to more private label. Management also said that the brand experienced a decline in German business, but this was “in line with the market.”
The companys Le Chameau brand saw a 3.2% decline in sales due to “internal factors that have already been corrected,” a slow-down in international growth, and adverse weather conditions. The companys Millet brand experienced 14.5% sales growth because of “the clarity of its technical positioning, its international development and the dynamic nature of its teams.”
International sales are now considered to be LaFumas primary source of growth because of stronger organizations in Asia, Europe, and North America. Lafuma management said that International growth this year was at 6.5%, exceeding market growth in all regions.