Claes Retail Group (CRG), the Belgian company above fashion brands like JBC, is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with its best operating result in eight years. Moreover, the retailer has just opened a first Dutch store for its brands CKS and Mayerline.
Foreign adventure
In 2024, CRG sales remained stable at 237 million euros, while its EBITDA of 11.4 million euros was the best gross operating profit in the past eight years. The results of each of the three brands improved in 2024. This year, CRG plans at least ten store openings: five pop-ups and five permanent stores. In addition, the group is embarking on a new foreign adventure with the opening of a two-brand shop, in Sluis (The Netherlands).
“Although consumer buying behaviour has become unpredictable, we manage to maintain our position in the market through our Belgian anchoring, by continuing to focus on the individuality that makes our individual brands so unique, on the shopping experience for our customer, and on quality and sustainability”, CEO Bart Claes said. He lashes out at Chinese webshops, which are not so diligent in complying with the rules and also do not pay import duties. “This is unfair competition, we strive for a level playing field for everyone.”
