Birkenstock raised its full-year sales growth forecast and beat quarterly revenue estimates on Thursday, banking on resilient full-price demand for its premium sandals from affluent shoppers, sending its shares up 7 per cent premarket. Strong pricing power and brand loyalty have helped companies such as Birkenstock that cater to wealthier consumers remain largely insulated from a wider pullback in U.S. discretionary spending affecting much of the apparel and footwear sector. Demand for the company’s high-end sandals, clogs and closed-toe shoes has remained resilient for the quarter, while its expanding direct-to-consumer business and retail footprint have helped drive growth across regions. Direct-to-consumer sales, or sales made via its own stores and website, rose 14 per cent and accounted for nearly 39 per cent of quarterly revenue. The Middle East conflict is still a source of uncertainty in the Gulf market, but the impact on the quarter was more contained than initially anticipated, the company said. Its Asia-Pacific sales jumped 18 per cent on a reported basis during the quarter, while the Americas grew 11 per cent and EMEA rose 15 per cent. “EMEA delivered strong results and APAC remains on track to grow at twice the pace of the other segments for the full year,” CEO Oliver Reichert said. Birkenstock now expects fiscal year 2026 revenue growth of 15 per cent on a constant currency basis, compared with its earlier forecast of a 13 per cent to 15 per cent rise. The company’s third-quarter revenue rose 13 per cent to 719.5 million euros (US$829.08 million), compared with analysts’ estimate of 713.4 million euros, according to data compiled by LSEG. It earned 0.74 euro per share on an adjusted basis, compared with estimates of 0.76 euro per share.
