© 2014 AFP - Interparfums, which specializes in the development and distribution of fragrances under license, has attained its margin objectives for the year after a first half marked by a drop in profitability following the loss of a major contract with Burberry.

For the entire year, the operating margin was between 10% and 11% of revenue, even though the group has attempted to increase its marketing and advertising expenses.

Its operating margins were at 13.9% with sales of 143.9 million euros, according to its financial statement published on Wednesday in the financial press.

These results are “on target”, despite the unfavorable impact of exchange rates, according to the company.

The group did not discuss the 280 million euro target for annual sales reported in late July in the statement.

Net income (the group’s share) amounted to 13.8 million euros, a sharp decline from 35.3 million a year ago.

Interparfums has noted, however, that profitability in the first half of 2013 was "exceptionally high” due to compensation paid by the British luxury group Burberry in order to extricate itself from its licensing agreement, which was previously the main source of revenue for the French company.