OLDENBURG (dpa-AFX) - The photo service provider Cewe increased sales and earnings last year thanks to the Christmas business. Based on preliminary figures, consolidated sales climbed by 6.5 percent to 788.8 million euros, as the SDax company announced in Oldenburg on Wednesday. In particular, the commercial online printing service and revised branch structures in the retail sector had also significantly improved profitability. Accordingly, operating earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose by 7.9% to 81.6 million euros. With its figures for 2023, Cewe performed slightly better than analysts had expected on average. The figures still include Futalis, which was sold in December 2023. The Executive Board plans to publish the full figures on March 22./ngu