French furnishings firm Roche Bobois SA has reported a return to growth in the fourth quarter but not enough to boost full year sales.

According to its latest trading update, Q4 2024 sales returned to growth and broke the Q4 2023 record, due to the solid pace of deliveries across its various regions and the integration of operations in China.

As a result, revenue amounted to €113.4m in Q4 2024, compared to €109.6m in Q4 2023, representing growth of 3.5% at current exchange rates. “This increase mainly stems from the Overseas region, bolstered by the integration of operations in China (three directly operated stores in China (Beijing and Shanghai) and the intermediary activity (purchase/resale of goods)),” the group said. “This amounted to an overall contribution of €5.9m to revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024.”

Revenue for the US/Canada region came to €38.7m, close to the record posted in Q4 2023 (down 2.2%), while Roche Bobois France remained stable at €28.2m, and Europe (excluding France) posted revenue of €28.6m, up slightly by 0.8%. This was bolstered by a stronger performance in Belgium (up 14.7%) and Switzerland (up 8.7%).

Roche Bobois posted revenue of €414.0m for the full year ended 31 December 2024, representing a slight 3.6% decline.

“The Roche Bobois Group managed to limit the downturn in business to a 3.6% decline for the full year and confirmed its aim of posting between €72m and €76m in EBITDA,” it said.

Looking ahead, the group intends to continue store openings in 2025, with two directly operated Roche Bobois stores planned in Austin and Las Vegas (US) and one in Herblay (France) for the first quarter of 2025.

The relocation of two directly operated Roche Bobois stores to more premium locations is also planned in Grenoble (France) and London’s Hampstead neighbourhood (UK). Another project is also scheduled in Europe. Lastly, the group will up its stake in Shanghai Rock Castle, increasing it to a 67% ownership share.