BERLIN — First-quarter net profits at Douglas Group dipped 2.5 percent to 93.9 million euros, or $127.7 million.
Earnings before taxes in the three months ended Dec. 31 rose 0.3 percent to 142.1 million euros, or $193.2 million. Group sales gained 4.5 percent to 1.18 billion euros, or $1.6 billion.
Dollar figures are converted from euros at average exchange rates for the period.
Domestic growth and strong online sales boosted business at Hagen, Germany-based Douglas, whose activities include Douglas Perfumeries and retailers of books, confectionary, fashion and jewelry. Web-based sales climbed 33 percent in the quarter.
For the fiscal year 2010-2011, Douglas Group forecasts sales growth between 2 percent and 4 percent, and earnings before taxes of nearly 140 million euros, or $190.7 million at current exchange.