Gebr. Heinemann has enjoyed an increase in DF&TR turnover across its Europe operations in the third quarter of this year, with September 2021 revenue close to 60% of what it was in September 2019.  

Sales from the Hamburg-headquartered company’s retail operations amounted to €3.9 billion/$4.6 billion in 2019 but the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in shuddering losses.

At a press conference in June, the family company reported a 67% decline in 2020 turnover year-on-year to €1.6bn/$1.9bn as retail revenue dropped by 68% to €1.2bn.

Responding to a question regarding the ripple effect on travel and trade since the introduction of the EU Digital Covid Certificate in July, Gebr. Heinemann Chief Operating Officer Raoul Spanger told TRBusiness: “Turnover since the press conference, fortunately, has improved. Since June, we’ve enjoyed increasing turnover intra-EU but also in Europe – globally it is a different story. In September, we are reaching close to 60% of 2019.”

‘STRONG OCTOBER’ EXPECTED

He continued: “For the year, initially, we set the target of 50% of 2019 [revenue]. We were suffering in the first two quarters of this year, reaching only one third so we made slightly below this target. After August, we exceeded 50%.

“We will have a strong October, intra-EU especially, and we will have to see in November and December and then in January and February in the Winter as the situation with booking rates is more unclear. First of all, we are looking for a fantastic October with a lot of European travellers. Overall, the situation has improved.”

The development is in line with Heinemann’s forecast sales pick-up in the second half of this year, as travel unlocks across Europe and other parts of the world.

Aside from progress on vaccinations, Heinemann has said previously that travel bubbles – particularly in the airport channel which accounts for 63% of retail turnover – are key to the company’s recovery.

As reported, Heinemann recently published its third progress report aligned to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).

Heinemann, which joined the UNGC in 2018, has integrated principles such as human rights, labour standards, the environment and corruption prevention within its own ‘Code of Ethics’.

For more on Gebr. Heinemann, watch out for the forthcoming TRBusiness Top 10 International Operators report.