Finnish design house Marimekko has reported higher net sales and operating profit for the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, supported by stronger international sales and wholesale growth, even as consumer confidence remained weak in several markets.
The company’s net sales increased by 5 per cent to €41.4 million (~$48.44 million) in Q1 ended March 31, 2026. The growth was driven particularly by higher wholesale sales in Scandinavia and Finland. International sales rose 9 per cent to €22.6 million, accounting for 55 per cent of total net sales.
“Marimekko’s net sales grew, driven by higher international sales, and our operating profit improved despite continued uncertainty in the operating environment in the first quarter,” said Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko, president and CEO of Marimekko.
She said total international sales increased by 9 per cent, with retail sales rising 20 per cent and international wholesale sales growing 4 per cent. Globally, omnichannel retail sales grew 3 per cent and wholesale sales increased 5 per cent.
International sales support Q1 growth
Retail sales grew across all international market areas, while wholesale sales increased in nearly all international markets. In Finland, net sales were broadly in line with the previous year, as growth in domestic wholesale sales, helped by non-recurring promotional deliveries, offset a decline in retail sales, Marimekko said in a press release.
The operating profit rose 20 per cent to €5.1 million (~€5.1 million), compared with €4.3 million a year earlier. Comparable operating profit increased 19 per cent to €5.3 million, representing 12.7 per cent of net sales, against 11.1 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025. The improvement was supported by a stronger relative sales margin and higher net sales, although increased fixed costs weighed on profitability.
EBITDA grew 18 per cent to €7.8 million, while comparable EBITDA rose 17 per cent to €8 million. Result for the period increased 25 per cent to €4.1 million, and earnings per share (EPS) rose to €0.10 from €0.08.
Marimekko retains 2026 guidance
Marimekko also expanded its store network during the quarter, opening two new stores in Japan and six pop-up stores across Asia. The company announced plans to enter Indonesia and the Philippines, with its first shop-in-shops in both markets expected to open this summer under a loose franchise partnership model.
The company retained its financial guidance for 2026. Marimekko expects full-year net sales to grow from €189.6 million in 2025, while comparable operating profit margin is estimated at around 16-19 per cent, compared with 17.1 per cent last year.
Marimekko said the outlook remains exposed to uncertainty from geopolitics, global trade policy, supply-chain disruptions, weak consumer confidence and purchasing-power pressures. However, it expects net sales in Finland and international markets, including Asia-Pacific, to increase in 2026. The company aims to open around 10-15 new stores and shop-in-shops during the year, mostly in Asia.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
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