Chinese-owned SMCP Group said that total company sales exceeded 1 billion euros in 2018, marking a revenue-first for the French fashion group. “With double-digit sales growth in 2018, SMCP posted a remarkable performance and continued to deliver on its strategic roadmap,” said Daniel Lalonde, SMCP’s Chief Executive Officer. For the year ending December 31, SMCP recorded sales increasing 13%, in line with its previously upgraded full-year 2018 guidance.
Lalonde said the achievement signalled rapid sales increase was fuelled by online and digital, with the company working hard to fight market headwinds, which have taken out other European retailers in 2018.
“Our performance throughout the year, and more particularly over the last quarter, demonstrates that SMCP is built on strong foundations and further illustrates the resilience of our business model in the midst of unprecedented market headwinds,” said Lalonde, in a press release.
“I would also like to place a special emphasis on our significant progress in digital: it has been growing consistently and strongly over the past years and now represents nearly 15% of our total sales,” he added.
The sales growth included a solid like-for-like sales growth of 3.7% for the twelve-month period “despite challenging market conditions in the fourth quarter,” which saw sales climb less, up 8%.
Full-year reported sales were up 11.5%, including a negative currency impact of -1.6% reflecting the appreciation of the euro.
Over the last twelve months, SMCP net openings reached 134 points of sale, including 102 directly operated stores, surpassing its annual target. By region, 59 stores were opened in APAC alone, the zone receiving the most new outlets compared to the Americas and Europe.
In APAC, the group posted a strong double-digit sales growth of 18.2% at constant currency, driven by mainland China which generated over 20% of sales growth.
The operator of French fashion brands Sandro, Maje and Claudie Pierlot said Sandro sales grew 6% in 2018, while Claudie Pierlot recorded a 7% increase. Maje was the biggest grower, up 10% for the year.
For 2018, SMCP confirmed its adjusted EBITDA margin guidance at around 17%.
Evelyne Chetrite and Judith Milgrom founded Sandro and Maje in Paris, in 1984 and 1998 respectively, and continue to provide creative direction for the brands. Claudie Pierlot was founded in 1984 by Claudie Pierlot and acquired by SMCP in 2009.
SMCP was acquired China’s Shandong Ruyi in 2016.