Belgium-based footwear retailer Brantano Group has reported turnover of €295.2 million for 2006, a decrease of 2.9% compared with the €304.1 million achieved in 2005. Excluding exchange rate effects, revenues decreased by 3.1%.

The company opened seven stores and closed five in the United Kingdom in 2006, opened three stores in the Middle East, and also opened one new outlet in Belgium whilst another store, in Lokeren, burnt down. As of December 31, Brantano had 125 stores in Belgium (including Luxembourg) and 147 stores in the UK, bringing the total number of outlets, including the 13 franchises in the Middle East, to 285.

Commenting on the results, Brantano’s chairman stated, “In Belgium and the UK we experienced a negative evolution in turnover. In Belgium this was primarily due to the weather, with cold weather at the start of the summer season and warm weather during the entire winter season. In the UK there was, on the one hand, the negative influence of the weather and, on the other, the change in commercial strategy whereby emphasis is being placed on generating higher quality turnover.”