#Retail & Brands

2024-06-27

H&M Group reports robust Q2 and six-month performance

The H&M Group has reported a robust performance in the second quarter (March 1, 2024 – May 31, 2024), with net sales rising by 3% to SEK 59,605 million. Gross profit surged by 11% to SEK 33,569 million, improving the gross margin to 56.3%. Operating profit increased significantly to SEK 7,098 million, achieving an operating margin of 11.9%. Adjusted operating profit stood at SEK 7,297 million. The result after tax soared by 52% to SEK 4,995 million.

In the first half of the year (December 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024), net sales edged up by 1% to SEK 113,274 million. Gross profit rose to SEK 61,224 million, and the operating profit increased to SEK 9,175 million. Cash flow from operating activities improved to SEK 16,567 million.

H&M has been recognized by Stand.earth for its climate initiatives, receiving the highest score among leading fashion brands. Additionally, the company’s AGM authorized the potential buyback of B shares until the 2025 AGM.

CEO Daniel Ervér highlighted the group's best results in years, emphasizing the company's strong financial position and commitment to sustainable growth. Despite a predicted 6% decrease in June sales due to adverse weather conditions, H&M remains optimistic about continued growth.

Key Highlights:

+ Q2 net sales: +3% to SEK 59,605 million

+ Q2 gross profit: +11% to SEK 33,569 million

+ H1 net sales: +1% to SEK 113,274 million

+ H1 gross profit: SEK 61,224 million

+ Stand.earth recognition for climate efforts

+ Authorization for potential B share buyback

With a focus on customer experience and strategic investments, H&M is poised for profitable and sustainable growth.

New spinning package with two-step filtration for recycled yarns and more

At the ITM in Istanbul, BB Engineering unveiled its new, patented ValuePack spinning package for the first time, which features a two-stage filtration system. This is particularly beneficial for re-cycling processes. Until now, spinning packs have used either metal powder (“sand”) or filter candles as filter media. Both options are suitable for differ-ent applications, and each has its own specific advantages and dis-advantages.

ITMA 2027 gains strong momentum

In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing. Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.

Mongolia: Workshop on Italian textile technologies kicks off in Ulaanbaatar

The workshop dedicated to Italian textile technologies will kick off in Ulaanbaatar from 21 to 23 June 2026. Focused on the most advanced innovative solutions for the textile industry, the initiative will bring together 13 Italian textile machinery manufacturers, confirming the growing interest in strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries and highlighting Mongolia’s strategic importance for Italian textile machinery producers.

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.

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.