DOUGLAS Group grows in the first quarter of 2025/2026 despite difficult market environment – In a market environment that remains challenging, the DOUGLAS Group, Europe’s leading provider of premium beauty, has started the 2025/26 financial year with relatively stable sales development. According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of 1.67 billion euros in the first quarter from 1 October to 31 December 2025 (Q1 2024/25: €1.65 billion), representing an increase of 1.7% compared to the strong prior-year quarter, in which the Group achieved sales growth of 6.5% (excluding the Disapo pharmacy division, which has since been sold).
The adjusted EBITDA margin (preliminary) reached 19.9% (Q1 24/25: 21.5%), influenced in particular by pressure on the gross margin, which reflects the high price sensitivity of customers and product mix effects.
Singles’ Day and Black Week – pull-forward effects on Christmas purchases
During the important Singles’ Day and Black Week sales campaigns, ales developed relatively well, but also led to a partial pull-forward effect on Christmas purchases. While November recorded the strongest sales growth within the quarter, sales in December were weaker than expected, particularly in Germany, France and the Netherlands, with Central and Eastern Europe continuing to perform strongly. Store sales rose by 0.4% year-on-year in the quarter, supported by the further expansion of the store network and the opening of 13 new locations (net), while online sales increased by 4.2%.
Macroeconomic and geopolitical developments weigh on consumer sentiment
Sander van der Laan, CEO of the DOUGLAS Group, said: “The environment in which we operate remains challenging, as macroeconomic and geopolitical developments continue to weigh on consumer sentiment and increase price sensitivity among customers. Despite these conditions, we remain strongly positioned in the premium beauty market. With numerous strategic initiatives already implemented, continuous, disciplined cost management and our strong market position, we expect to continue to see profitable growth in the future.”
Forecast for the full year remains unchanged
In the remaining quarters of the 2025/26 financial year, the DOUGLAS Group’s sales performance will be compared with lower growth rates in the previous year. The forecast for the full year remains unchanged, with expected sales of between €4.65 billion and €4.80 billion, an adjusted EBITDA margin of around 16.5% and a net debt ratio of between 2.5x and 3.0x as of 30 September 2026. The complete financial figures for the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year (October to December 2025) will be published on 11 February 2026.
For more information, please visit the DOUGLAS Group website.
About the DOUGLAS Group
With its brands DOUGLAS, NOCIBÉ, Parfumdreams and Niche Beauty, the leading omnichannel provider of premium beauty in Europe. The DOUGLAS Group inspires its customers to live their own kind of beauty by offering a unique range of products online and in around 1,970 stores. The DOUGLAS Group is the partner of choice for brands and offers a select range of exclusive brands and its own company brands.
The range includes fragrances, make-up, skin care, hair care, accessories and beauty services. Strengthening the successful omnichannel positioning and consistently developing the customer experience are at the heart of the company’s ‘Let it Bloom’ strategy. The successful business model is based on the omnichannel offering, the leading brands and the data expertise of the DOUGLAS Group.
In the 2024/25 financial year, the DOUGLAS Group generated sales of €4.58 billion and employed more than 19,900 people across Europe. In the 2024/25 financial year, the DOUGLAS Group generated sales of 4.58 billion euros and employed more than 19,900 people across Europe. The DOUGLAS Group (Douglas AG) is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
[Text: epcnews/Photo: DOUGLAS Group]
