#Retail & Brands

2024-03-28

H&M Hennes & Mauritz with increased profit in first quarter 24

In the first quarter (1 December 2023 – 29 february 2024) the H&M group’s net sales amounted to SEK 53,699 m (54,872). Gross profit increased by 7 percent to SEK 27,655 m (25,886). This corresponds to a gross margin of 51.5 percent (47.2). Operating profit amounted to SEK 2,077 m (725), corresponding to an operating margin of 3.9 percent (1.3). Adjusted for result from investments in associated companies and joint ventures of SEK -14 m (999) the operating profit amounted to SEK 2,091 m (-274), corresponding to an improvement in profit of SEK 2,365 m.

The result after tax increased to SEK 1,201 m (540), corresponding to SEK 0.75 (0.33) per share. Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 3,967 m (4,986). Financial net cash amounted to SEK 6,585 m (10,424). Cash and cash equivalents plus undrawn credit facilities were SEK 38,710 m (38,923). Currency adjusted the stock-in-trade decreased by 7 percent compared with the previous year. Converted into SEK the stock-in-trade decreased by 8 percent to SEK 37,630 m (41,040). The stock-in-trade in SEK represented 16.0 percent (17.9) of rolling 12-month sales.

The H&M group’s sales in the period 1 – 25 March 2024 increased by 2 percent in local currencies compared with the same period the previous year. As previously communicated, the H&M group and Vargas Holding have co-founded Syre, which aims to rapidly scale textile-to-textile recycling of polyester and contribute to a more sustainable textile industry.

Today the H&M group publishes its annual and sustainability report 2023. Among other things, the report shows a 22 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. In relation to sales in SEK the decrease was 23 percent.*

The annual general meeting will be held on 3 May 2024 to resolve, among other things, on the board’s proposed dividend of SEK 6.50 per share, to be paid in two instalments, and on a general authorisation allowing the board to buy back the group’s own B shares in the period up to the 2025 annual general meeting. This general authorisation is one of the tools for the board to use if surplus liquidity is identified. If the annual general meeting authorises the board and the board chooses to utilise this authority, amounts and other details will be communicated.

“Development continued in the right direction in the first quarter with an improved gross margin and operating profit, lower inventory and strong cash flow. Our top priority is to continue improving the customer offering, the store experience and the supply chain in order to increase sales, said CEO Daniel Ervér.

* Refers to science-based targets for the company’s entire value chain in scope 3 and excludes the use of sold products. The baseline is 2019. By 2030 at the latest the H&M group is to reduce its scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 56 percent.

** Stock-in-trade in SEK as a share of rolling 12 months sales.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Recover™ secures multi-year recycled cotton agreement with H&M

Recover™ has signed a multi-year agreement with H&M to support the integration of its recycled cotton fiber, RCotton, for use in H&M’s products. Since early 2024, H&M and Recover™ have collaborated on product development, which now enables scaled commercial introduction of Recover™ mechanically recycled cotton into H&M’s collections.

GORE-TEX® KIDSWEAR launches innovative membership scheme for kids’ jackets

With its revolutionary new membership model, GORE-TEX® Kidswear now offers families a simple, flexible and sustainable way of kitting out their children in top-quality jackets. It is aimed at the parents of children aged between five and ten and kicks off with a choice of functional winter jackets.

Speed and connectivity: Techtextil and Texprocess provided market-ready solutions for industries under pressure

With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors from a total of 112 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 demonstrated how innovation comes into industrial use. The convergence of research, industry and application proved to be a breeding ground for new material solutions, manufacturing and processing technologies. Natural fibres, performance apparel, connected systems and AI-driven processing technologies emerged as key growth and future markets.

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

An important delegation of Italian companies will exhibit at the upcoming INDEX 2026, the world’s leading event for the nonwovens sector, taking place from May 19 to 22 in Geneva (Switzerland). Numerous Italian exhibitors will be present within the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT, an exhibition area of over 140 square meters dedicated to the latest innovations proposed by the Italian industry.