#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2021-07-15

HUGO BOSS records strong top- and bottom-line improvements in Q2 2021 and provides financial guidance for fiscal year 2021

Currency-adjusted Group sales increase 133% to EUR 629 million

EBIT amounts to EUR 42 million in the second quarter

FY 2021 outlook: Currency-adjusted Group sales to grow between 30% and 35%; EBIT expected between EUR 125 million and EUR 175 million

In light of a further strong business recovery, HUGO BOSS recorded significant top- and bottom-line improvements in the second quarter of 2021, thereby exceeding overall market expectations. On a preliminary basis, currency-adjusted Group sales increased 133% as compared to the prior-year period. Also in Group currency, sales more than doubled, up 129% to EUR 629 million in the three-month period (Q2 2020: EUR 275 million). Compared to the second quarter of 2019, the decline in Group sales was therefore limited to 4% only, currency-adjusted.

Business recovery was clearly noticeable across all regions. While currency-adjusted sales more than doubled in Europe (+130%) and more than quintupled in the Americas (+416%), currency-adjusted revenues in Asia/Pacific were up by 51%, as compared to the prior-year period. Consequently, on a two-year stack basis, currency-adjusted sales in Europe and the Americas remained 4% and 5% below 2019 levels, respectively. In Asia/Pacific, currency-adjusted sales were down 3% as against the second quarter of 2019, with currency-adjusted sales in mainland China up 28% against the prior-year period and 33% on a two-year-stack basis, respectively.

From a channel perspective, HUGO BOSS more than doubled currency-adjusted sales in both own retail (+124%) and wholesale (+170%) as against the prior-year quarter. While own retail sales remained 5% below 2019 levels in the three-month period, wholesale revenues were down 2% on a two-year-stack basis, both currency-adjusted. Within own retail, the Company’s own online business recorded currency-adjusted sales growth of 27% in the second quarter, implying growth of 122% on a two-year stack.

In the second quarter of 2021, on a preliminary basis, HUGO BOSS generated operating profit (EBIT) of EUR 42 million (Q2 2020: minus EUR 250 million), reflecting the strong Group sales development as well as ongoing tight overhead cost control in the three-month period. In addition, the non-recurrence of negative inventory valuation effects and impairment charges recorded in the prior-year quarter also contributed to this development.

Despite the persisting uncertainties regarding the further development of the pandemic, HUGO BOSS is confident that the Company’s overall business recovery will continue in the second half of 2021. Consequently, HUGO BOSS forecasts Group sales in fiscal year 2021 to increase by between 30% and 35% currency-adjusted (2020: EUR 1,946 million), with contribution expected from all regions. EBIT is forecast to come to between EUR 125 million and EUR 175 million in fiscal year 2021 (2020: minus EUR 236 million).

HUGO BOSS will publish its full second quarter 2021 results on August 4. On the same day, the Managing Board will outline the Company's future strategic priorities and objectives at the HUGO BOSS Investor Day 2021. An invitation to the respective events will be sent in due course.

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.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

Texhibition Istanbul signals stability and global connectivity

From 4 to 6 March 2026, Texhibition Istanbul once again brought together the international textile industry at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), the fair confirmed its role as one of the most important international sourcing platforms for fabrics and textile innovation. With 500+ exhibitors across 5 halls on 42,850 sqm, the trade fair attracted 19,325 visitors. Among them, 5.565 international visitors represented Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America, and other regions, underlining the show’s expanding global reach.

Val:ue Milan unveiled – a curated boutique business hub for high-end apparel textiles

Messe Frankfurt continues to expand its international textile network with the announcement of Val:ue Milan. Moving beyond the traditional trade fair model, Val:ue Milan debuts as a prestigious, boutique-style business hub exclusively dedicated to elected fabrics and accessories for apparel. Taking place from February 3 to 5, 2027, at The Mall in Porta Nuova, the event breaks away from conventional formats through a strictly curated environment designed for strategic networking. By bridging the gap between high-end international manufacturers and top-tier segment buyers, Val:ue Milan further strengthens the Group’s global portfolio with a unique, high-impact concept built around a refined and carefully selected offering.

Solving the Feedstock Gap: Unlocking Post-consumer Feedstocks for Textile-to-Textile Recycling in Europe

Fashion for Good launches Project FAE (Feedstock Activation Europe) to develop the sorting and pre-processing infrastructure needed to channel non-rewearable post-consumer textiles into textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling at scale. The project is a practical response to one of the most pressing problems in textile circularity: making post-consumer waste a viable, commercially competitive raw material for recyclers.

FESPA’s new textile event set to debut in Barcelona this May

In less than one month, the first edition of FESPA’s new Textile event will take place at the Gran Via, Fira de Barcelona, from 19 – 22 May 2026. Co-located with FESPA Global Print Expo, European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience, WrapFest and the brand-new Corrugated, each of the events will serve as the ideal meeting point for experts across each field to discover the latest technologies and trends, and explore cross-sector opportunities for business growth.