Columbia Sportswear sales up 3% in second quarter 2017 driven by EMEA, North America

Columbia Sportswear is enjoying double digit growth in Europe, and both the USA and Canada are on the rise too. Sales for the US outdoor apparel and equipment group, owner of Columbia, Sorel, PrAna and Mountain Hardwear, jumped by 14% (+16% at constant exchange rate) in the EMEA region, reaching $67 million (€57.2 million) in the second quarter, closed at the end of June.

Globally, the group recorded a 3% revenue rise compared to the same period last year, reaching almost $399 million (€340.6 million). Sales in the USA improved by 4%, reaching $239 million, those in Canada grew 2% to nearly $14 million, while instead the business in Asia-Pacific and Latin America lost 9% (-8% at constant exchange rates).

Looking at sales results by brand, Columbia increased 2%, topping the $340 million mark, while PrAna grew by 9% to $35 million. Sorel’s summer business has picked up, its sales leaping 71% to $6 million, while Mountain Hardwear dropped 5%, down to $16 million.

Operating income was in the red in the second quarter 2017, by $17 million, compared to a $12 million loss last year.

In the first six months of 2017, the group's revenue reached $943 million, compared to $914 million last year, and operating income was minus $31 million, as opposed to minus $32 million a year earlier.

Columbia Sportswear is forecasting an annual revenue rise of 3% for 2017, after reaching $2.38 billion last year, and operating income is expected to rise by the same rate.