Emova: French franchise sales rise despite a smaller store network

Emova Group ended its 2025–2026 financial year with sales almost unchanged, despite a smaller store network. Figures published on 12 November 2026 show a 0.4% increase in sales across its French franchises, to €104.4 million. This resilient annual performance contrasts with a fourth quarter that the group says was affected by hot weather and an unfavourable comparison with the previous summer.

Annual growth despite nine fewer franchised stores

At 30 September 2026, Emova had 217 franchised stores in France, compared with 226 a year earlier. Despite this reduction of nine stores, their combined sales rose slightly over the financial year. The group sees this as evidence of resilient sales at store level.

Across Emova, network-wide sales reached €133 million, up 0.3%. The total store count, meanwhile, fell from 291 to 284. Growth in French franchise sales and the central purchasing operation offset a decline at company-owned stores over the year.

However, the nature of this indicator needs to be clarified. Network-wide sales are an unaudited, non-IFRS measure combining sales from franchised and company-owned stores with those from the École Florale training school, the central purchasing operation and online retail. On its own, it is therefore not a measure of profitability for either the group or individual franchisees.

Monceau Fleurs accounts for a growing share of the network

Behind the broadly stable sales figures, the brand portfolio is changing. Monceau Fleurs has 233 outlets, four more than a year earlier. According to Saloua Maslaga, chair of the management board, the brand now accounts for 85% of franchised stores in France.

The other brands are following different paths. Cœur de Fleurs, which is undergoing rationalisation and rebranding, is down nine stores to 20. Au Nom de la Rose has lost four stores, leaving 17. By contrast, Happy Fleurs has added two outlets, bringing its total to 14.

Emova reports 17 store openings or takeovers during the financial year. This figure reflects development activity and changes of ownership: it does not mean 17 additional stores, as the network has contracted overall.

For those in the franchise sector, this distinction matters. Openings and takeovers show activity within a network, while the net change in store numbers indicates its size at a given date. At Emova, the two measures point to a reshaping of the network rather than expansion across the board.

Higher average spend and new sales channels support trading

To explain the resilience of the French franchises, Saloua Maslaga points in particular to higher average transaction values across the franchised network and an expanded range of bouquets and flowers.

She also highlights the addition of Deliveroo alongside Uber Eats as a sales channel. At Monceau Fleurs, the number of active loyalty card customers has also risen by 10%.

These factors shed light on the group’s sales initiatives, but do not allow a precise share of growth to be attributed to each. Nor do they establish that every store performed in the same way. The 0.4% increase remains an aggregate figure for French franchises, across a network whose store count has changed.

A weaker summer ahead of January results

The fourth quarter presents a less favourable picture. Total sales fell by 1.2% to €26.1 million. French franchise sales declined by 1.6% to €20.6 million, while company-owned stores recorded growth of 0.6% and international franchises grew by 10%.

Emova attributes the slowdown partly to a strong prior-year comparison: sales had risen by 5.9% in the previous fourth quarter. The group also highlights the impact of periods of intense heat on footfall, as well as summer wildfires affecting part of the network.

Nevertheless, it has reaffirmed its strategic ambitions, including faster geographical expansion through both franchised and company-owned stores, alongside strengthening its business model. Annual results will be published on 29 January 2027 after the stock market closes.

Key takeaway for prospective franchisees: assess reported sales alongside changes in the network’s size and the performance of the store you are considering. A network’s sales resilience does not remove the need to examine local profitability and exposure to seasonal disruption.