MILAN — Amid tariff and foreign exchange challenges, Italy’s Safilo Group managed to more than double net profits, helped significantly by a reduction in financial charges and net debt.
The Padua, Italy-based eyewear group, which has a portfolio of contemporary and lifestyle brands such as Carrera, David Beckham and Tommy Hilfiger, said Thursday that net profit surged 118.2 percent to 48.6 million euros in 2025, versus 22.3 million euros in 2024.
As a result, the company expressed confidence in its full-year 2026 performance. Despite ongoing challenges and complexities of the geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, the group said it is “well-positioned to continue strengthening profitability and cash generation” and said it is eyeing “selective acquisitions.”
“In M&A we are quite active,” chief executive officer Angelo Trocchia said during a conference call with analysts. Trocchia explained that the firm is interested in acquisitions in optical, sport/high-optical, as well as women’s brands, which can contribute to sustainable growth.
The group proposed a new share buyback program for up to 10 million shares. This follows a share buyback program finalized on Dec. 22 for a total amount of 18 million euros and which helped reduce its debt.
As of Dec. 31, Safilo Group’s net debt stood at 46 million euros, compared with 82.7 million euros in 2024. The group also cited a 50 percent reduction in net financial charges to 8.3 million euros from 16.3 million euros in 2025.
The Dollar Impact
Sales performance for the year, however, was hit by the weak U.S. dollar against the euro. At current exchange, revenues declined by 1 percent to 983.4 million euros, reflecting the steady weakening of the U.S. dollar against the euro over the course of 2025. At constant exchange, sales rose 1.8 percent.
In the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, Safilo’s sales were down 4.6 percent to 225 million euros. But at constant exchange, revenue inched up 0.4 percent.
In the fourth quarter, sales in North America decreased a better-than-expected 7 percent, but were up 1.5 percent at constant exchange, supported by the positive performance of the wholesale business. Also, sales of Smith’s sports products in stores returned to growth, while Blenders remained negative in its direct-to-consumer channel. For all of 2025, North America sales were down 2.6 percent and up 1.8 percent at constant exchange.
In the quarter, sales in Europe edged down 0.1 percent, affected by lower volumes associated with a product supply agreement, the deconsolidation of the Lenti business sold in June 2025, and the phasing of deliveries to certain clients, anticipated in the third quarter. In 2025, revenue in the region was up 2.3 percent.
Asia-Pacific slowed down after several quarters of growth, reporting a 17.4 percent decrease in sales, which translated to an 11.5 percent drop in constant currencies. Some markets in the company’s rest of the world division drove a quarterly recovery, up 3.9 percent at constant exchange, or a 0.1 percent gain at current exchange. However, in 2025, the Asia-Pacific area was up 1.3 percent and the rest of the world was down 10 percent.
Overall, Safilo ended 2025 with a gross margin of about 61 percent, up 120 basis points versus 2024. The firm’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose to 106.4 million euros from 79.8 million euros in 2024.
Eyewear by David Beckham by Safilo.
courtesy of Safilo
Minimal Middle East Impact
Trocchia said the Iran conflict triggered uncertainty, but underscored the group’s exposure to the Middle East is minimal. In terms of sales, the Middle East is part of Safilo’s rest of the world category, which represented just 8.4 percent of sales in 2025. “March became evermore complex following the U.S.-led strikes on Iran, which triggered a rapid escalation in the Middle East.…We approach 2026 with awareness and a strong sense of responsibility and discipline,” Trocchia added, estimating the impact on sales from the Middle East at about 2 percent.
Trocchia touted performance of home brands and brands under license. The breadth and complementarity of the portfolio — from flagships Carrera and David Beckham to global licenses such as Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Boss, Kate Spade and Carolina Herrera — were among the main drivers of growth, the firm said.
“Safilo [in 2025] demonstrated its ability to grow and create value, even in a complex global environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, market volatility and tariff pressures. The quality of our brand portfolio, combined with our geographical diversification and adaptability, supported our revenues and the improvement of all key economic and financial indicators,” Trocchia said.
Looking ahead, the firm expressed confidence in its 10-year licensing agreement for Victoria Beckham eyewear (signed in July 2025), a brand it expects will enrich its aspirational women’s segment.
From 2023 to 2025, Safilo renewed its key licenses in its portfolio, such as Kate Spade, Tommy Hilfiger, Boss, Hugo Boss and, most recently, Carolina Herrera — which the company said allows for an unprecedented visibility for its licensing businesses until 2031.
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