Susanne Ehnbåge
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Lindex Group's Q3 webcast. I am Susanne Ehnbåge, CEO of Lindex Group.
Today, we will talk you through the key highlights of our financial performance for July to September 2026. Let's begin with the agenda.
We will start with the operating environment and the key highlights of the quarter, and we will then cover the business development in Lindex and Stockmann, followed by a more detailed financial review. We will then conclude with our priorities going forward and then open the line for questions.
Next page, please. Let's begin with a business update for the group and also our two divisions, and here we will take a look at the consumer confidence here in our key markets.
As you can see, the consumer confidence remained weak and varied across our Nordic markets in the third quarter. Sweden improved and moved slightly above the long-term average in September.
Finland improved during the summer, but weakened again in September, while the sentiment in Norway remained clearly negative and also declined further. Overall, the outlook remains uncertain despite somewhat better expectations for economic and consumption growth.
Let's now turn to the key messages from the quarter. Overall, Lindex Group delivered a positive third quarter with broad-based revenue growth, stronger profitability for both divisions, and improved cash generation.
The adjusted operating result increased by 45% to €24.1 million, and adjusted operating margin reached 10%. The group's gross margin improved to 60.1% from previous year 58%.
The gross margin improved for both divisions, and especially for the Lindex division. After the first 9 months, the group's financial position has strengthened, with cash and cash equivalents exceeding interest-bearing debt.
Based on our performance to date and the outlook for the remainder of the year, we have specified our guidance for the adjusted operating result to €75 to €90 million, and the strategic assessment continues. If we move on to the group's Q3 result, we delivered, as said, a strong third quarter.
The revenue increased by 6.1% to €241.5 million or by 5.6% in local currencies. Lindex division's revenue increased by 3.7% or then 3% in local currencies, with growth across all product categories.
Stockmann's revenue increased by 12.3%, with growth in every month of the quarter. The first day of the Crazy Days campaign fell within the reporting period.
The group's adjusted operating result increased by €7.5 million. Lindex division contributed with €4 million, driven mainly by improved gross profit, and Stockmann contributed with €3.6 million, mainly supported by higher revenue.
If we then move on to the Lindex division. Lindex delivered a positive quarter, with revenue growth across all categories, and also supported by a strong womenswear offering and higher store sales.
The digital revenue returned to growth in the third quarter, increasing by 2.4% in local currencies, despite continued availability constraints. We also accelerated improvements to the online customer experience, including search and also navigation.
The omnichannel distribution center is a key enabler for future growth. Our priority is to optimize operations and processes and improve the productivity and service and realize the long-term efficiency and cost benefits of the new setup.
We continue to grow also our active customer base and expand our Nordic presence. Last week, we opened our third store in Denmark in Aarhus, and we plan to open a fourth store at Fields in Copenhagen in the first half of 2027.
Finally, we continued our long-standing support for cancer research and breast health awareness through the pink umbrella and also the Walk for Pink initiatives, closely linked to our higher purpose and to drive a meaningful change for women. With that, we can move over to Stockmann.
Stockmann continued also its positive development, with a broad-based revenue growth and supporting a further improvement in earnings. Revenue increased every month and across all channels.
The focus on newness, own brands, and also curating offering resonated well with the customers, and fashion performed particularly strongly. The first day of the Crazy Days was included in the quarter, while the full campaign held mainly after the reporting period, and it performed in line with previous year.
Stockmann also strengthened customer engagement. Both active and new loyal customers increased, while the Stockmann app continued to gain traction.
At the Helsinki flagship, we initiated a strategic transformation to strengthen the luxury offering and renew the women's accessories departments across two floors. Overall, the quarter demonstrates how a more distinctive offering, stronger omnichannel capabilities, and also a deeper customer relationships supports sustainable and also profitable growth.
Let's look at our guidance. Based on our performance to date and also our current outlook for the remainder of the year, we have specified our guidance for 2026.
In 2026, Lindex Group expects its revenue growth to grow in local currencies compared to 2025. The group's adjusted operating result is estimated to be between €75 to €90 million.
Foreign exchange rate fluctuations may have a significant effect on the adjusted operating result. With that, I would like to hand over to Henrik for a financial update.
Henrik Henriksson
Thank you, Susanne, and let's now look more closely into the third quarter. We start with Lindex division, and here the revenue increased by 3.7% and ended up at €171.5 million.
In local currencies, the revenue increased by approximately 3%. As earlier said by Susanne, the positive revenue development came from all categories within the division.
The revenue from our physical stores increased by 3.2% in local currencies. Our digital sales also grew in local currencies.
Our digital revenue accounted for approximately 21% of total revenue. The gross margin increased to 65.8% compared to 62.7% previous period.
This is due to favorable currency effects and a stronger underlying margin position. Our comparable operating costs were at €66.9 million.
The increase here is mainly related to higher sales volume and general cost increases. Lindex continue to focus on cost efficiency and process automation.
Looking into our adjusted operating result for the quarter, it increased to €24.2 million compared to €20.2 million previous year. This is driven by improved gross profit, while our operating costs remained controlled.
We can now switch page and look into how Stockmann performed in Q3. For this division, our revenue came in at €70.1 million, and it's a strong increase by 12.3%.
It was supported by first day of the Crazy Days campaign, which fell within the reporting period, but however, we can state that the revenue growth was recorded in each month of the quarter, and it's reflecting successful commercial actions and strengthened customer demand. Our digital sales increased by 15.7% compared to previous year and accounted for 9.5% of our total revenue.
Stockmann's gross margin increased to 46% compared to 45.5% previous year, and this is driven by improved sales margin as well as effective campaign and margin management. The adjusted operating result continued to improve and ended in the quarter on plus €1 million compared to minus €2.6 million previous year.
The division focused efforts on its strategic priorities continued throughout the quarter, and it's about strengthening competitiveness, contributing to the revenue growth and improved profitability, as well as enhanced operational efficiency. Let's turn page, please.
On this slide, we're trying to visualize how the division-level changes is impacting the group's revenue and our adjusted operating result during the third quarter. On the left-hand side, we can see the revenue, which increased compared to the comparison period on group level.
As earlier said, Lindex contributed with an increase by €6.1 million, with growth from all categories, and Stockmann contributed with €7.7 million, and the increase can seen for every month during the quarter. The increase was, once again, supported by the first day of Crazy Days campaign, which fell within the reporting period.
Looking on the right-hand side, here we're visualizing how the adjusted operating result impacting the group level. Here, Lindex division contributed with an increase of €4 million, and this is mainly due to improved gross profit while we have had operating costs under control.
Stockmann contributed with €3.6 million, and this is gross profit improvement and successful efficiency measures that contributed to the positive development. If we then go to next page, and this is a summary of the group key figures for the quarter.
I think we have talked about the revenue and adjusted operating result, I will jump right into our operating result. The operating result ended up at €25.6 million, and our net result increased to €12.1 million during the quarter.
Our group margin came in at 60.1% compared to 58% previous year. Earnings per share increased to €0.07 per share.
We can then move to the next page, and here we're trying to visualize the division impact on the group's result for the first 9-month of 2026. The group revenue increased by 3.9% and ended up at €693 million.
Here, both division contributing to the growth. We can also say that consumer remained cautious, and the fashion market conditions were volatile throughout the year, particularly in the beginning, and this has affected sales in both divisions.
Lindex specifically faced also temporary impact from the transition and the optimization phases of the new omnichannel distribution center in previous quarters. Looking at end of September, Lindex has contributed by €20.8 million in additional revenue, supported by strong customer offering and effective sales activities.
Stockmann contributed by €5.5 million. Worth to mention here is, of course, the closure of Itis and the transfer of our furniture business to Vepsäläinen in 2025 affected the comparison to previous year on a 9-month perspective.
Going into the right-hand side, we have the operating profit. It rose to €42.6 million, up €12.5 million compared to previous year, and both division improved gross profit and kept cost under control.
Overall, the first 9-month of 2026, both division contributed to higher revenue and improved profitability. If we then turn to next page, and here we're trying to illustrate how the profitability has developed for both division over time.
As you can see, earnings have improved significantly over the past years. Lindex division continues to deliver profitability at a clearly higher level than before the pandemic, reflecting the strength of the customer offering, our disciplined execution, and a consistent focus on profitable growth.
Looking at Stockmann division, they have delivered a sustained turnaround. Since Q3 2023, adjusted operating result has improved from a loss of -€12 million to a profit of €7 million, and representing an earnings improvement of approximately €19 million.
After reporting its first full-year positive adjusted operating result in 2025, following many years of losses, Stockmann has continued to strengthen profitability in 2026, and the rolling 12-month adjusted operating result is now at its highest level in recent years. I think overall, the chart demonstrates the significant earnings improvements achieved across both division and the progress made to strengthen the group's profitability.
With that, let's move on to next page where we would like to spend a few minutes reviewing our cash flow development and capital expenditures. After the first 9 9-month of the year, the group financial position has improved from the comparison period, with cash and cash equivalents exceeding interest-bearing debt.
On the left-hand side, you can see that Lindex Group's operating free cash flow, excluding the investment in the omnichannel distribution center, was at -€11.3 million, an increase compared to previous year where it was -€35.5 million, and this is driven by strong operational performance. Looking specifically at our inventories, they ended up at €187.8 million compared to previous year, €193.9 million.
Here, Lindex division decreased the inventories to €112.4 million, reflecting effective inventory management. Stockmann inventories at the end of the quarter were above comparison period at €75.4 million compared to €72.1 million.
This is due to a business model change for one of the key brands and partly by planned increase in seasonal intake to support our strategy execution. In the third quarter, our capital expenditure ended up at €6.2 million, which consisted of investment related to digitalization projects, omnichannel development, and the omnichannel distribution center.
By the end of September, approximately €105 out of the €110 million as we have as investment for the omnichannel center has been paid. Looking into the right-hand side, you can see the operating free cash flow on a rolling 12-month scale.
For the Lindex division, it ended up at €99.7 million. For Stockmann division, it ended up at -€16 million.
We can then turn page. Here we can see the development in our cash position since beginning of the year compared to previous year.
At the end of September 2026, cash and equivalent ended up at €80.6 million compared to €53.6 million in the comparison period. In the third quarter, we generated a total cash flow of -€23.2 million compared to -€31.4 million previous year.
Just a small highlight here, the movements in the loans here or the swings in the loan in the table is due to refinancing of the external debt that was carried out during the period. We can then go to next page where we're trying to illustrate how the financial position has improved during the latest year, and which has and will enable our future growth.
In the graph here, you can see that the net debt has remained on a good level. Excluding IFRS 16 items, the interest-bearing net debt was positive at €30.6 million.
Our equity ratio improved further and reached 67.4% excluding IFRS item and 34.1% including IFRS item. The lease liabilities under IFRS 16 reporting standard ended up at €577.1 million, a small drop compared to previous year.
Here, we can see that the lease liabilities related to the Lindex division ended up at €291.5 million compared to €267.9 million previous year. The Stockmann division, the lease liabilities ended up at €285.7 million compared to €311.7 million previous year.
Our interest-bearing liabilities stood at €50 million. In July 2026, Lindex Group repaid its maturing senior secured bond worth €73.1 million.
Then, as a summary, we can then just financial highlights for Q3, and we can say that we saw a good progress in the group's performance during the third quarter. The positive development for the Lindex division was driven by improved gross profit, while operating cost remained control.
Stockmann's efforts in the division's strategic priorities continue to strengthen the competitiveness and the gross profit improvements, together with operational and cost efficiency that helped improve the profitability. With that, I hand over to Susanne who will pave the way forward.
Susanne Ehnbåge
Thank you, Henrik. As Henrik said, let's turn to our priorities going forward, starting with Lindex.
Lindex has a clear strategy for value creation built on our three priorities that you have seen before: accelerating growth, transforming towards a more sustainable business, and also improving scalability so that costs become less dependent on growth. If we move to the next page, please.
We have a strong, loyal, and active customer base, which we will continue to expand through targeted investments and also collaborations. Key here is to have an attractive offering for our existing and also new customers.
Some examples of coming activities are: For our younger women, we see opportunities to strengthen our lifestyle proposition through concepts such as Holly & Whyte and that we have within womenswear, and also to expand our loungewear offering. In lingerie, we are focusing not only on innovation, but also making the category easier to shop through stronger guidance, clearer communication, and also improved presentation.
Female Engineering demonstrates how customer insights can be translated into new growth opportunities by addressing specific customer needs and also expanding into additional life stages and occasions. Within our channels, we continue to expand our partnerships with carefully selected partners that allows us to grow internationally in a capital-efficient way.
Further expansion in Denmark, as I mentioned earlier, that we will now open our fourth store in Copenhagen during the first half in 2027. Although we have entered an optimization phase of the omnichannel distribution center, we are still focused on realizing the long-term efficiency, cost savings, and growth benefits that this distribution channel enables.
We have begun to realize efficiency gains from the new setup, and expect these benefits to increase gradually as operations continue to mature and also optimize. The new omnichannel distribution center is also central for digital growth as it creates a strong platform for profitable digital growth in the years ahead.
Finally, growth must be accompanied by financial discipline, and we continue to invest in the business. We remain focused on strong profitability, cash generation, and also capital efficiency through disciplined cost management, and also healthy inventory levels, and the flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions.
At the same time, we continue to build a more scalable and efficient operating model by simplifying ways of working, increasing the use of digital tools and automation, and adapting our organization where needed. These actions help create capacity for future growth while reducing the link between cost and growth.
Let's continue on the next page, please. Stockmann's strategy is focused on strengthening profitability and competitiveness through four must-win areas: improving operational efficiency, differentiating through a curated offering, and growing and leveraging the loyal customer base, and optimizing the omnichannel performance.
Let's take a look at the next page, please. Stockmann enters the final month of the year from a stronger position, and we will continue to execute our strategic priorities with a clear focus on competitiveness and also profitable growth.
First, we will maintain cost discipline and improve operational efficiency. The aim is to support growth without a corresponding increase in the cost base, while creating capacity to invest in other priorities.
Second, we will strengthen differentiation through our curated offering, combining inspiring brands, partner brands, and new concepts and commercially successful own brands. We are also progressing with the transformation of the Helsinki flagship and the new luxury hall.
Additional international luxury brands will join the portfolio as the project advances through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. We really look forward to sharing more information about these brands and the next phase of the luxury hall soon.
Finally, the festive season is an important part of Stockmann's DNA, and we are entering the season with a curated gifting offer, experiences, and also inspiration across stores and digital channels, together with a tailored benefit for my Stockmann members. By that, we will now open up the line for questions.
Anna Appelqvist
Thank you very much, Susanne. Welcome onto the Q&A session.
My name is Anna Appelqvist, and I recently joined Lindex Group responsible for Communication and Investor Relations. Today, I will be moderating the questions that you submit to Henrik and to Susanne.
The first question that we have received here, Susanne, is for you. Was the group's profitability improvements in Q3 mainly due to a weak comparison quarter in 2025?
Susanne Ehnbåge
No. While Q3 2025 was affected by temporary product availability challenges related to the ramp-up of our new omnichannel distribution center, the improvement in Q3 2026 goes well beyond lapping a soft comparison quarter.
Compared with Q3 2024, the revenue is up by almost 9%, it's 9% higher than two years back, and adjusted operating result is more than 50% higher. I would say that this reflects both stronger sales, a stronger gross margin in both division, and also continued cost discipline, demonstrating a clear improvement in the group's underlying performance and also profitability.
Anna Appelqvist
Thank you very much. We have received two questions here on the Crazy Day timing, Susanne, I will refer that to you.
We have mentioned the impact from the Crazy Day campaign several times, but how much of the revenue improvements came from the Crazy Day campaign in Q3? Does this mean also that we then should expect a negative revenue impact for Stockmann in Q4 2026?
Susanne Ehnbåge
Regarding the Crazy Days, we do not disclose the specific impact of that campaign. What we can say and share is that both revenue growth and the profitability improved throughout the quarter.
We had a positive development in each month. That the timing of the Crazy Days means that some of the sales were recognized in Q3 this year rather than in Q4, which will, of course, affect the quarterly comparison.
However, most of the improvement in revenue and profitability was delivered during the quarter before the campaign started. The timing difference affects the comparison between the quarters, but it does not affect our underlying business performance or full-year sales.
Anna Appelqvist
Thank you. Henrik, we have a question here on gross margin, I will turn that to you.
The gross margin was strong in Q3, reaching 60.1% for the group and 65.8% in the Lindex division. How sustainable are these levels?
Should we expect some normalization in Q4 and going into 2027?
Henrik Henriksson
A very valid question, I would say. I would like to start by saying that we are very pleased with the gross margin development in Q3.
FX was an important contributor to this outcome, but it was not the only driver here. We are also noting or saw a stronger underlying margin position, and this is reflecting improvements in areas such our sourcing tactics and strategy, as well our commercial execution during the quarter.
Naturally, gross margin can vary between quarters depending on factors such as FX, sales mix, promotional activity. We do not provide specific margin guidance going forward.
Anna Appelqvist
Good. Over to you, Susanne, again.
We have a question here on e-commerce. It improved in Q3 following a negative revenue development during the first 6 months of the year.
How do you expect e-commerce in the Lindex division to develop in Q4?
Susanne Ehnbåge
Yes, we saw an improvement in the e-commerce during the third quarter, supported by improved product availability in the new omnichannel distribution center. Of course, we continue to address the remaining availability and allocation challenges related to the omnichannel distribution center, but it's moving forward in the right direction.
While there is still further improvement potential, we expect the progress made to provide better support for our digital business going forward. As usual, we do not provide guidance for individual channels or quarters.
Anna Appelqvist
Very good. Henrik, we have a currency question here, I will refer that to you.
Given the Swedish and the Norwegian kroner's weakness over the past 6 months, how do you expect it to affect the coming quarters, both translation on reported revenue and the transaction gross margin impact as your or our U.S. dollar hedges roll off?
Henrik Henriksson
Yes. A weaker SEK and Norwegian kroner is revenue through the positive translation effects that we're talking about here.
This is, of course, particularly from our Norwegian operations. U.S.
dollar hedges, as also mentioned here, as they roll off, we do expect some pressure on gross margin from impacting a higher sourcing cost, although this is partly mitigated through our hedging strategy and also commercial actions. I would say that overall, the translation effect is positive for the revenue, while the transaction effect is more mixed, and that is primarily affects the margin.
Anna Appelqvist
Thank you. Then we have a couple of questions here in, let's divide them a bit here.
Susanne, I will turn this question to you: Can you give us some indications on the Denmark store launches in Lindex? We already touched a little bit on it in the presentation, but perhaps you can give some more flavor to it.
Susanne Ehnbåge
Yes. Overall, we are excited about Denmark, and we see a strong potential for Lindex and our Scandinavian offering in that market.
We believe also Denmark is an important part of strengthening our Nordic position. We have now opened a couple of stores, where we have seen good progress, and that's also the reasoning for us now adding a fourth store that then will be opening here in spring 2027.
Before entering with this store is opening, we have also done our job, I would say, with both entering collaborations that we have had with both physical and digital presence, including our own e-com. This is sort of our way moving into a new market.
We believe the physical stores are an important part of building the brand and customer relationships alongside our digital presence. We are encouraged by the opportunity we see and will continue to develop our presence in Denmark in a disciplined way.
Anna Appelqvist
Very good. Henrik, back to you again regarding the financial position.
Is repaying debt preferred to that is, then, dividends or other instruments? Have you excluded the possibility to raising new debt?
Do you see any better use of cash, such as investment? Maybe elaborate on the financial position you target at large, please.
A lot of [comments?] , lot of questions in one question.
Henrik Henriksson
Yep. I hear.
I would like to start by saying that we are happy with the improvements that we have seen during the last quarter when it comes to our financial positions. When it comes to potential dividends, et cetera, those consideration is part of board of directors' normal governance process, and of course, they are reviewing the group's financial position and the strategic priorities.
The board proposal is something that will be communicated ahead of the AGM meeting 2027. I will leave that question out and instead just saying that we are focusing on improving our financial positions.
We have made some good segues, and we will continue to have it as a priority for us going forward.
Anna Appelqvist
We also have a question here on availability constraints, and I will refer this to you, Susanne, if okay. How was the availability constraints in online during towards the end of the quarter?
Is it normalizing?
Susanne Ehnbåge
Regarding
Anna Appelqvist
e-com,
Susanne Ehnbåge
yeah, I understand. Yes.
It has improved as you could see thinking about how it was in the first 6 months when we had a negative development on unfortunately on the digital channel, and now we see a positive. We have seen a gradual improvement within that area, but there is still work to do to improve it further.
Anna Appelqvist
Thank you. Then finally, we have one question here on the omnichannel distribution center, and I will address this to you, Henrik.
Is the approximately €10 million annual net OpEx savings still the target and base case with full effect from 2027?
Henrik Henriksson
Here, I think we'd like to start by saying that the project itself goes according to plan, and we're starting to see effects of the optimization phase. We expect that from 2026 and onwards, we are expected to generate Sorry.
Let me come back here. From 2027 and onwards, we expect the omnichannel distribution to generate €10 million EBITDA-level savings compared to the business case that we had when this was announced.
We're following that plan, I would say.
Anna Appelqvist
Very good. Up until now, we have not received any further questions.
I think we can close the call for today. Should there be any other questions that anyone of you online come up with after the meeting, please do contact us, and we will do our very best to answer them as well.
Oh, hang on. We had one question coming in just the minute I saw it.
Let's see here. Several Swedish fashion competitors to Lindex have shifted from being loss-making profitable over the last 3 to 4 years.
Are you seeing less aggressive promotional and marketing pressure in the market, and do you see this as an opportunity to regain some market share in Sweden? Susanne, do you have any comment on this?
Susanne Ehnbåge
I can try to comment that. I wouldn't say that we have seen a less aggressive promotional marketing pressure.
I would say that it probably is around the same it has been over the last couple of years, maybe it's even to some extent more intense in certain periods of time. I wouldn't say that.
I believe that all of us are sort of working on what we can improve and that still the promotional activities is something that is very much used looking at our competitors. I would not say that the promotional activities has decreased over the last couple of years.
Anna Appelqvist
Very good. Okay.
Then I'll say again, with that, we will close the session for today. Should there be any more questions, please let us know and write to us or contact us, and then we will do our very best to answer it.
Thank you all for joining in today.
Susanne Ehnbåge
Thank you, Anna, for asking and supporting us with the questions. As also Anna said, if anything comes up later, you can always contact our investor relation team.
We will publish our Q4 and full-year results on the 4th of February in 2027. Thank you from me and Henrik.
Henrik Henriksson
Thank you.
Susanne Ehnbåge
Bye-bye.
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