According to the provisional numbers recently presented by ara, stability characterized the group's turnover in 2013, which reached 576 million euros (1% up from 2012). ara Shoes AG, the branch of the group focusing on footwear, also predicts a slight increase on its turnover, reaching 202 million euros (growing 1% from previous year). Quantities produced and distributed to clients reached in 2013 nearly 7 million pairs, a modest increase of 0.6% from previous year.

Overall, 2013 was a very delicate year for the group, particularly due to the unfavorable climate that prevailed during the two seasons. Given this situation, the direction of ara Shoes AG expressed their satisfaction with this preliminary set of results: "During last year, we focused our work in our internal procedures and in cost optimization exercises. At the same time, the qualitative optimization of sales and the promotion of our brand visibility in some fine establishments was also object of particular attention. Thanks to these commitments, the quality of financial results found a tangible improvement in ara Shoes. Alongside these measures, during fall 2013 we launched a cross-media campaign focusing on the final consumer. This campaign will be intensified in 2014 and also in the following years" - can be read on the press release issued.

ara is optimistic about 2014, although further consolidation of the business is  expected. ara Directors commented: "Alongside to the permanent optimization of the collection, the recent months have been an occasion to invest heavily, among others , in sectors such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or enlargement of the spaces. 115 brand spaces are actively managed in the form of partnerships with ara in specialized stores in Germany and a total of nearly 500 in the overall EDI network. Furthermore, the new shop concept ara will be released in 2014. Currently, it is possible to observe the " prototype " in the form of a showroom at the headquarters of the group in Langenfeld (Germany), in Portugal (ara Showroom Gaia ) and also in the recently inaugurated in Mainhausen O1. First shops open on Austria and Poland according to this brand new concept already given very positive results. It is our desire to continue to monitor the specialty stores, linking them to our media offensive and also to the various actions marketing."

ara Shoes AG, a subsidiary of ara AG, engages in the production and marketing of shoes for men and women. It offers slip-ons/lace-ups, pump shoes, boots/ankle boots, bags, insoles and foot supports. The company sells its products through distributors and authorized dealerships worldwide. It also sells its products online. The company was founded in 1949 and is based in Langenfeld, Germany with production sites and marketing facilities worldwide, namely plants in Germany, Portugal, Romania and Indonesia.