Based on preliminary figures compared to the previous year, the ara group, based in Langenfeld (Germany), plans to close fiscal 2014 with a slight increase in the group's turnover from the previous year; turnover in 2014 is expected to reach roughly 590.3 million euros (up by 1.4% from the 581.9 million euros in fiscal 2013).

ara Shoes AG, the footwear division, dedicated to comfort shoes, had a slight increase in sales volume of nearly 209.8 million euros, up by 1.4%. ara, present in 70 countries sold in 2014 about 7 million pairs of shoes worldwide.

It is expected that the percentage of export exceeds 46% (in terms of quantity), despite the reduction of the business in Russia - the export rate has a slightly higher level than in the previous year (45%).

Considering this set of results, the group considered the performance of the business in 2014 as globally satisfactory, despite the negative impact of an unfavorable climate and significant crisis in Russia / Ukraine.

The company currently employs an annual average of 4200 employees, most of them concentrated in four production facilities in Germany, Portugal, Romania and Indonesia.