European chain Douglas has reported that the 2007/08 fiscal year proved to be a successful one. President and CEO Dr Henning Kreke said: "We continued with our strategy of value-oriented growth, we reached the sales target in full and practically reached our earnings target." The group’s sales for the year climbed by 4.6% to over EUR3.1 billion (USD4.53 billion). Earnings before taxes (EBT) rose by 2.8% to EUR147.1 million (USD215.2 million). The group opened a total of 141 new specialty stores – 88 perfumeries, 29 bookstores, nine Christ jewellery stores and 15 Hussel confectionery shops. The network comprised 1,966 specialty stores as of 30 September 2008.
