Descente reported sales for the fiscal second quarter ended Sept. 30 reversed course from a Q1 decline and rose 2.7% to ¥10.40 billion ($121 mm) from ¥10.13 billion ($108 mm) in the year-ago period. 

 

The increase in revenues, in addition to reduction in SG&A expenses — down 60 basis points to 37.3% of sales — and a 70 basis points improvement in gross margin to 47.4% of sales versus 46.7% of sales in the year-ago period, helped Descente increase fiscal Q2 net income 28.2% to ¥1.57 billion ($18 mm) from ¥1.23 billion ($13 mm) in the year-ago period.


Inventories at quarter-end were down 4.8% to ¥11.50 billion ($137 mm).


In addition to its own brand, Descente distributes Cutter & Buck, Lecoq Sportif, Marmot, Munsingwear and Umbro in Japan.