Wolford First Half Sales -23.4%
- Nick Monjo
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
Wolford, the Austria-based legwear, apparel and lingerie brand, reported a first half loss of 33.64 million euros (about $39.7 million at current exchange rates), as sales declined 23.42% to 32.99 million euros (about $38.9 million). In the same period last year the company lost 24.98 million euros (about $29.5 million) on sales of 43.08 million euros (about $50.8 million).
Company management emphasized it is addressing the losses and sales declines with, among other steps, “the closure of structurally unprofitable stores, and the enhancement of our collection efficiency by focusing more clearly on high-rotation, core-performing items.”
Wolford indicated the sales decline in the first half was “largely driven by the lingering effects of delivery delays and store closures initiated in the previous year. While these issues were structurally addressed in late 2024, their consequences continued to affect top-line performance during the first quarter of 2025. This lagging effect underscores the depth of last year’s operational challenges. Despite the material drop in revenue, the company succeeded in reducing its cost base, leading to relatively stable EBIT vs prior year, demonstrating the initial effects of the streamlining and efficiency measures launched over the past months. These results must be interpreted within the context of the anticipated ongoing transition phase, during which the company is actively executing a broader operational transformation aimed at restoring long-term resilience and profitability, with progressive signs of recovery expected to mature in the second half of the year.”
Wolford added that looking ahead, “we do not expect significant negative impact of the trade policy-influenced economic environment on earnings/revenues for the H2/2025 / full year 2025.”
North America made up 26.5%% of sales in the first half of 2025, compared to 30.0% of total sales in the same period in 2024. Wolford complained “the threat of higher import tariffs from the USA has caused market volatility, impacting consumers’ willingness to spend, with a wait-and-see attitude.”
North American sales were 8,756,000 euros (about $10.3 million) compared to 12,747,000 euros in the first half of 2024. The North American segment produced a loss before income tax of 2,727,000 euros (about $3.2 million) compared to a loss of 2,579.000 euros in the same period in 2024.
Boutiques make up 48% of sales worldwide during the first halves of both 2025 and 2024, while online sales shrank to 21% of sales versus 25% last year. “Retail specialists” made up 16% of sales in the first six months of 2025, compared to 5% last year. Department stores made up only 6% of sales in the first half of 2025, compared to 7% last year.
Ready-to-wear and legwear made up 43% of worldwide sales in the first half of 2025, compared to 46% last year. Legwear also represented 46% of sales in the first six months of 2025, compared to and 38% last year. Lingerie represented 13% of sales in the first six months of 2025 and 15% last year. Swimwear was just 1% of sales in both periods.