Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft: Preliminary Q1 2026 Financial Results Published

“The fiscal year always starts off somewhat subdued in the first quarter due to seasonal factors. This year, however, we are also facing a number of special effects,” explains Oliver Schwegmann, CEO of Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft, and continues: “Due to disappointingly weak consumer demand and correspondingly low sales of spirits in Germany during the 2025 year-end business, our retail partners started 2026 with high inventory levels that had to be reduced in the first quarter. This significantly slowed our follow-up sales. Furthermore, weak consumer demand for alcoholic beverages in Germany continued across the overall market in the first quarter. In the private-label segment, the particularly sharp decline in the overall whiskey market had an impact on sales and earnings. As Europe’s largest supplier of whiskey in the private-label business, this negative trend has affected us disproportionately.”

The declines in consolidated revenue are therefore primarily attributable to the spirits business. The decrease in the key earnings figures—consolidated EBITDA and consolidated EBIT—compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 is a result of lower consolidated revenue.

Further Outlook for Fiscal Year 2026
To generate revenue growth while simultaneously driving the Berentzen Group’s profitability, a wide range of measures and initiatives are planned for fiscal year 2026 as part of the BERENTZEN EVOLVE 2030 Group strategy. “We have big plans, particularly in the area of brands and products. These include, among other things, the launch of our new JUMA brand starting in May, the comprehensive relaunch of our Puschkin brand with a product range overhaul, and the introduction of three new Puschkin ready-to-drink varieties in cans starting in the second half of the year. But we will also be taking the first important steps this year in our other strategic focus areas, ‘New Markets’ and ‘New Distribution Channels.’ We are confident that this package of measures will demonstrate its full potential over the course of the year,” explains Schwegmann.

Consequently, the Berentzen Group is maintaining its full-year forecast for the 2026 fiscal year. According to this forecast, Berentzen Group Aktiengesellschaft expects consolidated revenue to range from €163.0 million to €173.0 million (2025: €162.9 million), consolidated EBIT of between €7.0 million and €9.0 million (2025: €8.5 million), and consolidated EBITDA of between €16.1 million and €18.1 million (2025: €17.1 million).

The Berentzen Group will provide further information on the first three months of fiscal year 2026, as well as details on the individual business segments, with the scheduled publication of the Q1/2026 interim report on April 30, 2026.