The DOUGLAS Group, Europe's leading omnichannel premium beauty destination, has adjusted its financial guidance for the 2025/26 fiscal year following weaker-than-expected third-quarter business performance. The company attributed the shortfall to ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties and heightened price sensitivity among consumers, which have significantly pressured customer confidence and willingness to buy.
In response, DOUGLAS is refocusing on strategic priorities tailored to the new market reality. Key measures include reallocating investments from stores to online business, sharpening differentiation and exclusivity, enhancing pricing strategies, and accelerating digitalization. CEO Sander van der Laan emphasized a swift and purposeful approach: "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."
The revised guidance for the financial year 2025/26 now forecasts net sales growth of 0-1% (corresponding to 4.58-4.63 billion euros, previously 'at the lower end of 4.65 - 4.80 billion euros'). The adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be around 15.0% (down from 'around 16.0%'), and net leverage is projected at 3.0x to 3.5x as of September 30, 2026 (previously 'at the upper end of 2.5x to 3.0x').
The European premium beauty market is undergoing a shift driven by geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty, leading to price-sensitive consumers who often delay purchases in anticipation of promotions. E-commerce continues to grow faster than stores and maintains solid profitability 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 these headwinds, DOUGLAS believes its omnichannel business model, strong brand, and partnerships with premium beauty suppliers position it well. The company has already undergone a transformation into a true omnichannel retailer, providing a competitive edge. Van der Laan stated, "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."
Further details and an update on strategic measures will be published at the DOUGLAS Group quarterly reporting on August 12, 2026. For more information, visit the DOUGLAS Group Website. The original press release is available on NewMediaWire.
