Rapala said first-quarter net sales rose 6% to EUR 69.5 million, or 13% at comparable exchange rates, while comparable operating profit increased 39% to EUR 7.8 million. Operating profit rose to EUR 7.7 million from EUR 6 million a year earlier.
CEO Cyrille Viellard said demand was supported by new product launches including the CrushCity Mooch Minnow and Claptail lures, as well as strong fill rates for seasonal retailer orders.
“A positive start to 2026 with 13% sales growth at comparable exchange rates, supported by exciting new product introductions and efficient supply chain execution,” Viellard said.
The company maintained guidance for full-year comparable operating profit to improve from 2025 despite continued geopolitical uncertainty and inflationary pressure on raw materials.
Marimekko, the Finnish lifestyle and textile design company, reported a 5% increase in first-quarter net sales to EUR 41.4 million, while comparable operating profit rose 19% to EUR 5.3 million. The company said growth was driven particularly by wholesale sales in Scandinavia and Finland, while international sales climbed 9%.
Qt Group, which develops software tools for embedded systems and user interfaces, reported net sales growth of 11.6% to EUR 52.7 million, while annual recurring revenue increased 32.7% to EUR 155.9 million. Profitability weakened sharply, however, with EBITA falling 40% to EUR 5 million.
CEO Juha Varelius said customers remained cautious on new product development spending amid geopolitical tensions and weak economic conditions. Qt reiterated guidance for at least 10% comparable currency revenue growth in 2026 and an EBITA margin of at least 15%.
Relais Group, the Nordic vehicle aftermarket consolidator, reported a 44% increase in first-quarter net sales to EUR 119 million. Adjusted EBITA rose to EUR 12.8 million from EUR 9.2 million a year earlier, ahead of the EUR 12.3 million consensus forecast compiled by Modular Finance, although the stock traded down around 1.7%.
