Claranova shares outlook for post-PlanetArt business

GaryPageau ,
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Fresh off its divestiture of its PlanetArt personalized printing business, Claranova unveiled the broad outlines of its medium-term growth strategy and its financial objectives for 2028, following its refocusing on its most profitable activities. The company said it is positioned as a challenger in three strategic segments, namely Utilities, PDF, and Photo, and the group relies on 100% proprietary technologies. This new scope allows the group to adopt a more transparent, more profitable model that is better positioned to take advantage of its technological strengths, its user base, and the dynamics of the software market, according to a press release. This new configuration is accompanied by a consolidation of the financial situation, with a significant improvement in the operating margin (around 20% ), a sharp reduction in debt (68% reduction in debt) and net leverage brought down to around 1.5.

Claranova’s revenue for the 2024-2025 financial year (July 2024-June 2025) relates exclusively to Avanquest’s activities, which amounts to €118 million, a slight increase of 1% at constant scope and exchange rates (-3% at actual exchange rates), despite a lower performance in the 4th quarter of 2024/2025 (-4% at constant scope and exchange rates), notably linked to a very unfavorable exchange rate over the period and a customer acquisition focused on profitability.

Over the financial year, the share of higher-margin strategic activities, mainly related to sales of proprietary software in SaaS mode, represented 93% of revenue (91% last year) and remained stable compared to last year at €110 million. Non-core activities continued to decline, reaching €8 million compared to €11 million last year. The sale of these activities remains an objective for the Group and should be completed by the end of the 2025-2026 financial year.

Changes in Claranova’s return:

 “Claranova is entering a new phase of acceleration,” said Eric Gareau, CEO, Claranova. “Our integrated model, backed by 100% proprietary technologies and real expertise in digital marketing, is a true driver of profitable growth. Operational excellence remains our priority. Thus, our roadmap is based on three solid and complementary pillars: our recognized expertise in customer acquisition, our ability to address new markets driven by artificial intelligence, and reinforced financial discipline to sustainably optimize our performance. We have all the assets to combine growth, innovation, and sustainable profitability. Together, we will write a new chapter in Claranova’s history.”

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Gary Pageau is principal of InfoCircle LLC, continuing his marketing communications career. InfoCircle LLC is a marketing and communications consulting firm, specializing in business-to-business markets. For nearly 25 years, he was with PMA International, serving most recently as Publisher, Content Development and Strategic Initiatives. His primary responsibilities included overseeing the Association’s editorial department, marketing research unit, education and corporate relations department.