Toy giant Lego sees half-year earnings tumble by nearly a fifth

Lego saw sales growth slow to 1 per cent with revenues at 27.4 billion Danish Krona (£3.2bn) as it came up against “exceptional” trading a year earlier, with demand having soared during Covid-19 restrictions.

Revenues were flat with currency movements stripped out.

It marks a sharp reversal of trading seen throughout 2022, when revenues grew by 17 per cent.

But Lego said it outperformed a declining toy market, with “significant” growth in market share and consumer sales up 3 per cent.

Lego chief executive Niels Christiansen said: “We are satisfied with our performance, especially as it has been a challenging six months for the toy industry.

“Demand for our products saw us outpace the industry and significantly grow market share.

“Our strong financial position allows us to invest for the long term, particularly in areas such as digital, sustainability and manufacturing.

“Overall, our performance is in line with expectations, after three consecutive years of extraordinary growth.”

Lego said consumer sales in China were affected by a slower-than-forecast return to pre-pandemic shopping habits, with restrictions only lifted in the country earlier this year.

The company said it will continue to grow its store footprint and online offering across China this year.