Safilo Group S.p.A. reported sales of its Sports products, which include sunglasses and goggles made by Smith Optics, increased 18.5 percent in the second quarter, or 24.2 in currency neutral terms.

 

The Italian eyewear company reported total net sales in the United States, including its prescription business, reached €123.0 million ($169mm) in the second quarter, up 1.5 percent compared to €121.2 million for the same quarter of 2013.


Exchange rates shaved 600 basis points off U.S. net sales results, which were up 7.7 percent in currency-neutral (c-n) terms. In the first half, U.S. sales were off 1.6 percent and up 4.0 percent c-n.


 

Retail sales in the US, where Safilo owns 130 Solstice sunglasses stores, reached €23.2 million ($32mm) in the second quarter (-0.9 percent at current exchange rates, +3.8 percent c-n) and to €39.7 million ($54mm) for the first half (-2.7 percent at current exchange rates, +1.5 percent c-n).

 

 

Sunglass sales grew during the quarter thanks to a good performance from the department store channel, with Polaroid, Fossil and Boss Orange, as well as Fendi, Bobbi Brown and Jack Spade, making the most important contributions. Same-store sales through 130 directly operated Solstice stores increased 1.7 percent after declining in the first quarter.



Sàfilo Group S.p.A.








Total                                                    606.3    100.0           598.4    100.0                 +1.3                     +4.7







(*) at constant exchange rates

Consolidated net sales


 













Net sales by geographical area


(Euro in millions)


First Semester


2014


%


2013


%


Change %  Change % (*)


 




















Europe


269.6


44.5


254.9


42.6


+5.8


+6.3


Americas


235.9


38.9


239.8


40.1


-1.6