Bénéteau sees drop in Q3 sales
By IBI Magazine
The Bénéteau Group has revealed that like-for-like consolidated sales in the third quarter of 2009 fell by 28.4 per cent to €272.3m compared to the same period last year. Sales of boats were down by 34.8 per cent to €198.4m, while sales of mobile homes fell by just 5.7 per cent to €73.9m.
In the nine months ended May 31, 2009, boat sales came to €371.8m for the period — down 40.8 per cent compared to the previous nine-month period. Sales of mobile homes were down by 19.2 per cent to €138.9m.
Without factoring in an upturn on the pleasure cruising markets for next season, Bénéteau says that it expects its boat business to grow in 2010. This forecast is based on: the expected benefits of an ambitious plan for new models (50 per cent more than in previous years); a pricing policy offering incentives; and the impact of the reduction in network stock levels, completed during this season.
Bénéteau's workforce and organisation have also been adapted in line with the decline seen on the markets during the 2008-09 season. The company is now standing by its initial sales forecast of €646m for the year, down 39 per cent like-for-like.
(2 July 2009)
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