DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY — The DOUGLAS Group announced on June 18, 2026, that it is adjusting its financial guidance for the fiscal year 2025/26, citing a significant shift in consumer behavior and market dynamics. The company reported that Q3 business performance has fallen behind expectations, with customer confidence and willingness to buy under pressure from ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties and heightened price sensitivity.
As a result, the group now forecasts net sales growth of 0-1% (corresponding to 4.58-4.63 billion euros), down from its previous expectation of “at the lower end of 4.65-4.80 billion euros.” The adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be around 15.0%, compared to the earlier forecast of approximately 16.0%. Additionally, net leverage is projected to be between 3.0x and 3.5x as of September 30, 2026, versus the prior range of “at the upper end of 2.5x to 3.0x.”
CEO Sander van der Laan emphasized the company’s strategic response: “Consumer behavior and market dynamics have changed significantly. 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.” He noted that some measures will deliver short-term benefits, while others will take longer to materialize.
The European premium beauty market is experiencing a shift driven by geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty. Many customers remain price-sensitive, often delaying purchases in anticipation of promotions. E-commerce is growing faster than stores and achieving solid profitability at the EBIT level, while like-for-like store sales are declining. Channel mix, category mix, and overall spending patterns vary across markets, but cross-channel services such as Click-and-Collect are performing strongly.
The DOUGLAS Group aims to leverage its leading omnichannel business model, strong brand, and trusted partnerships with premium beauty suppliers to navigate the current environment. According to van der Laan, “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.
