The LEGO Group, which is among the world’s biggest toy manufacturers, rivalling such groups as Mattel and Hasbro, said it expected its good growth to continue this year.
In 2009 the LEGO Group increased its global market share to 4.8 percent,
says LEGO in a press statement.
Pretax profit rose to 2.89 billion DKK in 2009 from 1.85 billion crowns in 2008 on a 22.4 percent increase in revenues to 11.66 billion crowns, the company said.
Overall, the global toy market was stagnant in 2009, bu in nearly all markets, the LEGO Group achieved strong growth.
In the global toy market, continued stagnation is expected in 2010. Based on the company’s position and the highly satisfactory developments in 2009, the LEGO Group expects the sales growth to continue in 2010.
The strongest growth in sales in 2009 was in English-speaking markets, and LEGO products saw strong growth in all of Europe and most of Asia.
LEGO got into the board games business in 2009, launching games in Britain and the German-speaking countries, and game sales exceeded expectations, the company said.
LEGO games will be released in North America and the rest of Europe this year.
Based on the good results in 2009 and our sales during the first months of 2010, we also expect sizeable growth this year,
Chief Executive Jorgen Vig Knudstorp said.
The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of play materials for children, employing approximately 7,500 people globally. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children’s creative and imaginative abilities. LEGO products can be purchased in more than 130 countries.
Have Your Say: