• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Strong krona strips H&M's quarterly profits

Published: 27 Sep 12 09:58 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/43476/20120927/

Swedish group H&M, which makes and retails inexpensive clothes, reported almost steady net profit for the third quarter on Thursday, saying the rise of the krona had contained earnings.

Net profit edged up 1.0 percent to 3.622 billion kronor ($790 million). This was less than the figure expected by analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires who had foreseen 3.94 billion kronor.

H&M said that the rise of the krona and fall of the euro had had a significant effect on the bottom line in its local currency.

Sales rose by 7.0 percent to 28.806 billion kronor, but in terms of the local currencies in which sales were made, the figure had risen by 10.0 percent.

The group said that the business climate for ready-to-wear clothing had remained difficult during the third quarter because in many countries austerity policies were taking effect and consumers were restraining their spending.

In addition, unusually hot weather in August in some European countries had curbed retail sales.

Chief executive Karl-Johan Persson said that the business continued to gain market share and would accelerate expansion of the brand in world markets, intending to open 300 shops this year instead of a previous target of 275.

But the group said that it was delaying the opening of its online retail operation in the United States until the summer of 2013, saying that it needed more time to refine its sales offer on the Internet.

On September 19, the Spanish group Inditex, which owns the rival Zara brand and is the biggest clothing group in the world, reported a profit surge in the first half of 2012 as brands including Zara spread across Asia and the Americas.

Net profits leapt by 32 percent from the figure in the same period of last year to 944 million euros ($1.23 billion).

AFP/The Local
Follow The Local on Twitter

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

23:16 September 27, 2012 by ttrs_d
H&M has got the worst clothing quality I have ever seen; off line tailoring, horrible ill fitting jackets, t-shirts and jeans, fabric of low quality. Totally an overrated and an overpriced brand.
11:41 September 30, 2012 by viennacalling
This is more than just H&M

The finance ministers of governments / countries around the Eurozone should have bought the Euro when they detected an increase in the value of their currency, the swiss did but too late and denmark have pegged their kroner for sometime but more was needed

At the close of trade on Friday 28Sep2012 the euro was $1.2858US

One year earlier 30Sep2011 the euro was $1.3447

Its a No Brainer you can see the percentage loss !

EUROBONDS Like About 4 Years Ago would have Fixed It , but the Leaders Germany Fuhrers are Milking It and Blaming Greece Portugal and Now Spain!
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Business & Money headlines
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden

Solna voted best place to live in Sweden

Solna, a suburb just north of Stockholm, is the best place to live in Sweden, according to a new ranking published on Friday by Swedish news magazine Fokus. READ () »

Ikea founder rated fifth richest in the world

Ikea founder rated fifth richest in the world

Ingrad Kamprad, the founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, finished fifth on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index published on Friday, with an estimated fortune of $55.6 billion. READ () »

LinkedIn profile lands Swede with hefty tax bill

LinkedIn profile lands Swede with hefty tax bill

A Swedish man is facing a five-million kronor ($750,000) add-on to his tax bill after the authorities took a proper look at his account on the professional networking site LinkedIn. READ () »

India in no rush to open first Ikea store

India in no rush to open first Ikea store

The first Ikea store to open in India may not be ready for years, with the India head of the Swedish furniture giant prepared to wait until the the perfect location is found for the first of the 25 planned stores. READ () »

H&M CEO to Bangladesh: raise minimum wages

H&M CEO to Bangladesh: raise minimum wages

H&M CEO Karl-Johan Persson has urged Bangladesh to raise its minimum wage, adding the Swedish fashion giant is "willing to pay more" in the wake of a garment industry disaster which killed more than 1,100 people. READ () »

Pensioners to recruit ageing Swedish rockers

Pensioners to recruit ageing Swedish rockers

The Swedish Pensioners Association wants to cast off its "stuffy" image at the Sweden Rock festival, in a recruitment bid to set up a rock music subgroup of new members. READ () »

Sweden plummets in income equality ranking

Sweden plummets in income equality ranking

The living conditions of most Swedes have improved in recent decades, but income inequality is growing rapidly, according to a new OECD report, which saw Sweden drop 14 spots from its first place ranking in 1995. READ () »

Swedish shop hits back: our Converse are real

Swedish shop hits back: our Converse are real

Swedish retailer Coop has refuted complaints by US sneaker brand Converse that Coop stores are selling unauthorized pirated copies of the iconic footwear. READ () »

Sweden housing crunch
Young Swedes forced to live with mum and dad

Young Swedes forced to live with mum and dad

More than half of Swedes in their twenties are stuck living at home with their parents in major metropolitan areas, with observers blaming politicians for abdicating any responsibility for dealing with lack of housing. READ () »

Converse in bid to ban 'fake' shoes in Sweden

Converse in bid to ban 'fake' shoes in Sweden

Legendary US sneaker brand Converse has asked a Swedish court for permission to search outlets of Swedish retail chain Coop in a bid to clear near-perfect pirated copies of the iconic shoes off the shelves. READ () »

More Business & Money

Find a new job in Sweden now
18/05 C++ Developer
Stockholm
18/05 LCI Coordinator
Aker Advantage
Bærum/Tranby
18/05 Lead Product Designer
Stockholm
18/05 Lead Product Designer - Artist Experience
Stockholm
18/05 Lead Product Designer - Mobile
Stockholm
18/05 Senior Alliance Manager -Wireless Telco
Solna
18/05 Senior Technical Architect - Stockholm or Copenhagen or Helsinki
Sverige
18/05 Team Leader ? Customer Service
Klarna AB
Stockholm, STHM
18/05 Tender Lead Subsea 7656
Aker Advantage
Ågotnes
17/05 Account Executive - Sweden- Sofware Sales
Stockholm

ALL JOBS »


 
Latest Business & Money news from Germany
Holiday Luxury Villa in Portugal
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE