Douglas Holding AG posted second quarter net loss of 156.9 million euros, or $205.6 million, driven by heavy restructuring costs for its foundering Thalia book arm. In the prior-year period, the Q2 net loss stood at 15.3 million euros, or $20.9 million. Loss per share was 3.86 euros, wider than 0.39 euros in the same quarter a year ago.

During the January-March 2012 period, sales at the Hagen, Germany-based company – whose activities include Douglas Perfumeries and retailers of confectionary, fashion, jewelry, and books – rose 3.9 percent to 722.8 million euros, or $947.3 million, from 695.6 million euros in the prior-year quarter, partly fueled by consumer spending in advance of this year’s earlier Easter holiday.

Second-quarter sales at the company’s 1,184 perfumeries rose 6.7 percent to 407.8 million, or $534.6 million.

Dollar figures are converted from euros at average exchange rates for the period to which they refer.

Adjusted earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization fell 19 percent to 6.4 million euros, or $8.4 million. The company said its earnings were adversely affected by Thalia’s restructuring expenditures, which amounted to 165.1 million euros, or $219.6 million, in its second quarter.

The company continues to project slight sales increase to more than 3.4 billion euros in 2012. EBITDA for the year is now expected at the lower end of the forecast range between 200 and 250 million euros. Previously, the company expected EBITDA in the range of 200 million euros to 250 million euros.