The DOUGLAS Group has adjusted its guidance for the financial year 2025/26 after third-quarter business performance fell short of expectations, the company announced on June 18, 2026. The European premium beauty retailer cited ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties and heightened price sensitivity among consumers as key factors behind the revision.
The company now expects net sales growth of 0 to 1 percent, corresponding to a range of 4.58 billion to 4.63 billion euros, compared with its previous forecast of sales at the lower end of 4.65 billion to 4.80 billion euros. Adjusted EBITDA margin is projected at around 15.0 percent, down from an earlier estimate of approximately 16.0 percent. Net leverage is expected to be between 3.0x and 3.5x as of September 30, 2026, compared with the prior outlook of at the upper end of 2.5x to 3.0x.
In response to the shifting market dynamics, the DOUGLAS Group is reallocating investments from its store network to its online business, sharpening its focus on competitive pricing, differentiation, and exclusivity, and accelerating digitalization efforts. “Consumer behavior and market dynamics have changed significantly,” said Sander van der Laan, CEO of the DOUGLAS Group, in a statement. “In this challenging environment, we fully focus on our strategic priorities: we shift investments from our store to our online business; we are investing in competitive pricing, while further strengthening our differentiation and exclusivity; and we are continuing to drive digitalization forward. Some of these measures will deliver short-term benefits, while others will take longer to materialize. We act swiftly, with focus and purpose – we are guided by a sustainable medium- to long-term approach.”
The European premium beauty market is experiencing a shift driven by geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties, leading customers to delay purchases and seek promotions. E-commerce is growing faster than store sales and is profitable at the EBIT level, while like-for-like store sales are negative. Channel mix, category mix, and overall spending patterns vary across markets, but cross-channel services such as Click-and-Collect are performing strongly.
Despite the headwinds, the company emphasized the strength of its omnichannel business model, brand reputation, and partnerships with premium suppliers. “In the current market environment, both differentiation and pricing matter more than ever. Our omnichannel model, our curated premium assortment, an attractive pricing and our excellent brand name give us a clear competitive edge and we are executing on this with focus and discipline,” van der Laan said. “The management and all colleagues in the company are highly motivated and firmly committed to take on these challenges. We have a clear plan of action, and we are confident that this will put our company on the path to profitable growth.”
Further details and an update on strategic measures will be released at the DOUGLAS Group quarterly reporting on August 12, 2026. The DOUGLAS Group, which operates brands including DOUGLAS, NOCIBE, Parfumdreams, and Niche Beauty, is the leading omnichannel premium beauty destination in Europe, with around 1,970 stores and a comprehensive online offering. The company generated sales of 4.58 billion euros in fiscal 2024/25 and employs more than 19,900 people across Europe.
For more information, visit the DOUGLAS Group Website or view the original release on NewMediaWire.
