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Bloomberg
Hennes & Mauritz AB’s sales growth slowed in the key July and August months, hampering the Swedish retailer’s attempt to end a three-year slump in earnings.
Sales growth probably slowed down to 6 percent in those two months from 12 percent in June, Berenberg analysts said, based on calculations from figures H&M reported. The shares dropped as much as 3.2 percent.
H&M has been trying to reducing its high inventory level, which stood at 40 billion kronor ($4.2 billion) at the end of June. The retailer has struggled in recent years as its clothes fell out of favor with shoppers and it launched a plethora of new formats.
Rival Inditex SA this month reported an acceleration in sales, while Primark announced a drop in like-for-like revenue. H&M has recently slashed prices to as low as $5.99 for skinny jeans and $17.99 for a dress with a belt.
The retailer said its summer collections were well-received and it managed to increase market share. The sales increase of 8 percent in local currencies during the quarter shows that part of the revenue growth is coming from foreign-exchange moves.
A weaker krona makes it more expensive to source goods from Asia, which could be cutting into profitability. H&M was facing easy comparisons with the year-earlier quarter, when logistics issues exacerbated its inventory woes.