Essanelle Hair Group presents figures for the first quarter of 2008

• Sales rise to EUR 31.3 million
• Top Ten concept grows revenues by 65.6%
• Earnings before taxes up 12.5%

Düsseldorf, 29 May 2008
The Q1 2008 financials published today confirm the positive business trend at Essanelle Hair Group AG. The first three months of the current financial year saw sales rise by 6.5% to EUR 31.3 million compared to the previous year (EUR 29.4 million). In addition, 14 newly opened salons reflect the company’s continued growth strategy.

Achim Mansen, Chairman of the Management Board of Essanelle Hair Group AG, said: “The first quarter has been very positive for us. I am very satisfied with our start to the new financial year. Our designated growth concepts, in particular, continue to develop excellently.”

The largest percentage growth in terms of revenues was achieved by the young Top Ten brand which generated sales of EUR 1.3 million (previous year: EUR 0.8 million). Sales at HairExpress salons increased by 26.7% from the prior year’s EUR 4.9 million to EUR 6.2 million during the first quarter. The SuperCut salons generated sales of EUR 5.1 million, up 8.3%. The revenues from the essanelle Ihr Friseur brand concept declined slightly by 2.8% to EUR 16.3 million. The exclusive JT by essanelle brand reached sales of EUR 1.0 million compared to EUR 1.1 million in the first quarter of 2007. Sales at the Beauty Hair Shops specialising in salon products rose by 19.5% to EUR 1.3 million (previous year: EUR 1.1 million).

Continued earnings improvement
While EBITDA advanced by 5.6% from EUR 2.3 million to EUR 2.4 million, earnings before taxes came in at EUR 1.0 million, up 12.5% on the prior year’s first quarter (EUR 0.9 million). Earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.13 compared to EUR 0.12 in the prior year.

Mr Mansen commented: “Following this good first quarter we anticipate continued sales and earnings growth during the course of the year. Our objective is to increase our sales between 5 and 10% and to grow earnings ahead of sales revenues.”

Contakt:
Haubrok Investor Relations
Michael Müller
+49-21 56-49 65 195
M.Mueller@haubrok.de