Douglas (DOU) investor relations material

Executive summary

• Q3 sales declined 2.0% year-over-year to €987.8 million, with adjusted EBITDA down 19.4% to €127.5 million (margin 12.9%) and net income negative at -€2.6 million, reflecting margin pressure from promotions and cost inflation.

• Nine-month sales grew 0.5% to €3.61 billion, driven by E-Com and Central Eastern Europe, while Germany, France, and the Netherlands remained weak.

• Omnichannel and exclusive brand strategies are progressing, with cross-channel services up 18% and exclusive brands growing 14.7% in Q3.

• Results are below ambitions but align with revised expectations; full-year guidance is confirmed.

Financial highlights

• Group sales declined 2.0% year-over-year to €987.8 million in Q3; like-for-like sales down 4.5%.

• Adjusted EBITDA margin dropped to 12.9% in Q3 (down from 15.7%); nine-month margin at 16.0%.

• Gross profit decreased to €436 million in Q3, with gross margin down 110 bps to 44.2%.

• Net financial debt decreased to €863 million, but net leverage increased to 3.1x due to lower EBITDA.

• Free cash flow for Q3 stable at €104.9 million; nine-month free cash flow down 3.3% to €399.2 million.

Outlook and guidance

• Full-year sales expected between €4.58–€4.63 billion, implying 0–1% growth; adjusted EBITDA margin guidance reaffirmed at around 15%.

• Net leverage expected between 3.0x–3.5x for the full year.

• Segment outlook: DACHNL and France expect flat sales and lower margins; CEE anticipates significant sales growth but slightly lower margin.

• Guidance reconfirmed based on current trends and Q4 expectations.