Van de Velde (owner of the PrimaDonna, Marie Jo and Andres Sarda brands) has released its full annual report in advance of their ordinary shareholders’ meeting next month (24th April). As previously announced the profit for period to 31st December 2018 fell to 25,533,000 (Euros) down from the 2017 figure of 33,820,000 on respective turnover figures of 205.2 million (2018) and £209 million (2017). The dividend proposed per share for 2018 is 1.03 Euro (the same as for 2017 and considerably less than the 2016 dividend of 2.15 Euro).
Presenting the Annual Report, Chairman Herman Van der Velde alluded to the changing changes of the international marketplace: “ Everybody realises that the commercial environment has been profoundly changed by {the} Internet and every trader and supplier must adapt its strategy to this new environment. Our company must not miss the digital train, but we must act along with and for the benefit of our customers, the lingerie boutiques. I am willing to admit that in our approach we have given too little attention to our retailer-customers. We want to adjust this policy and Marleen Vaesen, together with the Board of Directors, has the challenge of developing a digital strategy that places the retailer at the centre of things again.”
Marleen Vaesen took over the position of CEO of the company in December 2018 and in her statement commented: “’Growth by focusing on retail partners and brands‘ is how we want to reinforce the foundations of our company in 2019. Van de Velde is all about designing and manufacturing fashionable lingerie of high quality. We bring this to consumers through strong brands and strong retail partners.”
