#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2021-03-18

The H&M group’s sales development in the first quarter and early March 2021

The H&M group´s year-on-year sales devolpment in local currencies during the pandemic

In the first quarter 2021, i.e. in the period 1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021, the H&M group’s net sales decreased by 21 percent in local currencies compared with 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020. Converted to SEK the group’s net sales amounted to SEK 40,060* m (54,948).

Sales development was significantly affected by the Covid-19 situation, with extensive restrictions and at most over 1,800 stores temporarily closed. Since the beginning of February, a number of markets have gradually allowed stores to reopen and at the end of the quarter around 1,300 stores remained temporarily closed. Online sales have continued to develop very well.

Since Germany, the H&M group’s largest market, and other countries have begun allowing certain stores to reopen, the number of temporarily closed stores in the group amounted to around 900 on 13 March. Sales in the period 1–13 March this year increased by 10 percent in local currencies compared with the same period in 2020.

* The amount is provisional and may deviate slightly from the three-month report, covering the period 1 December 2020 – 28 February 2021, that will be published on 31 March 2021.

Communication in conjunction with the three-month report

The three-month report, i.e. 1 December 2020 – 28 February 2021, will be published at 08:00 CEST on 31 March 2021 and will be followed by a telephone conference at 09:00 CEST for the financial market and media hosted by CEO Helena Helmersson, CFO Adam Karlsson and Head of IR Nils Vinge. The telephone conference will be held in English.

For log in details for the telephone conference please register at http://hmgroup.com

or via this link:

http://emea.directeventreg.com/registration/8156159.

To book interviews with CEO Helena Helmersson, CFO Adam Karlsson and Head of IR Nils Vinge in conjunction with the three-month report on 31 March 2021, please contact: Kristina Stenvinkel, telephone: +46 8 796 39 08, e-mail: stenvinkel@hm.com.

Helena Helmersson, CEO

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

ATCO Hygienics, Uzbekistan, orders baby diaper production line from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from ATCO Hygienics to supply a new baby diaper production line for its plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The order is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026. Commissioning of the production line is scheduled for the end of 2026.

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.