EPR: Europris strengthens margins and enters key season well positioned for value-focused consumers
2026-10-29 07:01:09
The group delivered solid gross margin in the third quarter, while the year-on
-year development in like-for-like footfall was below expectations.
Alongside the group's everyday low-price offering, seasonal ranges are important
drivers of store footfall and sales of both seasonal items and the broader
assortment. Lower footfall in the quarter largely reflected an earlier onset of
summer in the Nordics compared with last year. Adjusted for this timing effect,
the overall performance of the summer season was good and delivered according to
plan.
Customers remain price-conscious and continued to favour lower-priced items.
Europris and ÖoB are well positioned to meet these preferences, and sales of
both campaign products and private-label products continued to grow. However,
the campaign programme performed below expectations in the third quarter, and
corrective measures have been initiated.
Financial highlights - third quarter
- Total sales amounted to NOK 3,473 million (3,528), representing a decrease
of 1.6% on a reported basis and a growth of 0.6% in constant currency
- Like-for-like sales declined 0.1% for the Europris chain and was up 2.1% for
the ÖoB chain in local currency
- Gross profit increased to NOK 1,459 million (1,437), with a gross margin of
42.0% (40.7%)
- EBIT declined to NOK 244 million (256), corresponding to an EBIT margin of
7.0% (7.3%)
- Net profit attributable to owners of the parent company amounted to NOK 129
million (154)
- Earnings per share were NOK 0.79 (0.94)
Financial highlights - first nine months
- Total sales amounted to NOK 10,467 million (10,268), representing a growth
of 1.9% on a reported basis and 3.1% in constant currency
- Like-for-like sales increased 3.7% for the Europris chain and 1.7% for the
ÖoB chain in local currency
- Gross profit increased to NOK 4,328 million (4,118), with a gross margin of
41.4% (40.1%)
- EBIT increased to NOK 710 million (642), corresponding to an EBIT margin of
6.8% (6.2%)
- Net profit attributable to owners of the parent company amounted to NOK 378
million (350)
- Earnings per share were NOK 2.31 (2.14)
- Cash flow from operating activities was a positive NOK 900 million (positive
254)
- Net debt excluding lease liabilities amounted to NOK 1,401 million (1,795)
Comment from CEO Espen Eldal:
"This year's summer sales came early in the season and were already reflected in
the sales figures for June. Our campaigns were also not as effective as
intended. As a result, we did not attract as many customers as we had hoped in
the third quarter. At the same time, we successfully strengthened our gross
margin.
In Sweden, we have taken important new steps towards establishing ÖoB as the
natural destination for seasonal shopping. We have been following a clear three
-step plan: harmonise the concept, sharpen the seasonal focus and remodel the
stores. We are now almost halfway through the remodeling programme, and the
upcoming Christmas season will be our first real test.
Through our relentless focus on low prices, broad assortments and strong
promotional capabilities, the group is well positioned to benefit from
consumers' continued focus on price, value for money and promotions. I am
pleased that our stores are well stocked and prepared for the final and most
important quarter of the year in both Norway and Sweden."
Outlook
Higher interest rates may weigh on consumer sentiment, although consumers are
expected to benefit from real wage growth in both countries this year and next
year.
Consumers are expected to remain price-conscious, with a continued strong focus
on value for money and promotional offers. Europris and ÖoB remain well
positioned in this environment through their low-price concepts, broad
assortments and strong promotional capabilities. The group is well stocked and
prepared for the important Christmas season.
Visibility remains limited for certain cost components, including energy,
freight and some input categories. Further volatility cannot be excluded,
although any impact on these cost items is expected to affect the market
broadly. The group continues to mitigate cost increases where possible through
sourcing initiatives, pricing measures and improved operational efficiency.
In Sweden, the ÖoB turnaround programme is progressing according to plan. While
the store remodelling programme is expected to continue to weigh on
profitability in the near term, the investments are expected to support the
chain's longer-term earnings capacity. The group reiterates its ambition to grow
ÖoB sales to SEK 5 billion and achieve an EBIT margin of 5% by the end of 2028.
Practicalities:
The quarterly report, presentation materials and spreadsheet with key figures
will also be available on the website https://investor.europris.no. CEO Espen
Eldal and CFO Stina C Byre will present the group's results at 08:30 CET at
Nordea's office, Essendrops gate 7, Oslo (Majorstuen). The presentation will be
held in English and transferred via live webcast and will be made available
through the website at https://investor.europris.no. It will be possible to ask
questions via the web.
For further information, please contact:
Espen Eldal, CEO, +47 48 29 24 24, espen.eldal@europris.no
Stina C Byre, CFO, +47 41 10 58 08, stina.byre@europris.no
Trine Engløkken, Head of IR, +47 94 05 09 37, trine.englokken@europris.no
About Europris:
The group comprises Norway's leading variety retail chain, Europris, the Swedish
retailer ÖoB, and holds full or partial ownership in the e-commerce groups
Lekekassen and Strikkemekka. The Europris chain operates 290 stores in Norway
(269 directly operated and 21 franchised locations), while ÖoB manages 92
directly operated stores throughout Sweden, and Lekekassen operates two physical
stores in Norway. The group's operations are coordinated from its head office in
Fredrikstad, Norway, with logistics centres in both Norway and Sweden.
This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU
Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant
to section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange
announcement was published by Trine Engløkken, Head of IR at Europris ASA, on 29
October 2026 at 07:00 CET.
pursuant\
to section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange\
announcement was published by Trine Engløkken\, Head of IR at Europris ASA\, on 29\
October 2026 at 07:00 CET.\