In the first six months, Fielmann increased its units sold by 0.3% to 4.1 million (previous year: 4.1 million). External sales including VAT grew by 7.5% to €884.4 million (previous year: €823.0 million) and consolidated sales rose by 6.6% to €758.2 million (previous year: €711.5 million). The pre-tax profit amounted to €127.6 million in the first half of the year (previous year: €116.1 million) and the net income was €88.3 million (previous year: €80.4 million).
The number of glasses sold in the second quarter amounted to 2.1 million (previous year: 2.1 million). External sales including VAT grew by 6.1% to €446.8 million (previous year: €421.3 million) and consolidated sales rose by 6.9% to €386.4 million (previous year: €361.6 million). From April to June, the pre-tax profit amounted to €60.5 million (previous year: €54.8 million) and the net income stood at €41.7 million (previous year: €37.9 million).
In Italy Fielmann opened new stores in Monza, Modena, Reggio Emilia, Bassano del Grappa and Treviso during the first half of the year and plans to open at least 4 additional stores south of the Alps this year. As at 30 June, Fielmann operated 743 stores (previous year: 727 stores) and employed 19,172 employees (previous year: 18,301) with 871 new jobs created.
In the second half of the year, Fielmann will continue to implement its Vision 2025. Throughout 2019 and 2020 we are going to invest more than €200 million in our omnichannel business model, the development of our branch network and our international expansion: As at 1 September 2019, Fielmann is acquiring 70% of the Slovenian market leader Optika Clarus, thus entering its fourteenth European market. Furthermore, Fielmann will enter 4 new markets in the coming years through organic growth and acquisitions.