H&M GROUP SALES DEVELOPMENT IN MARCH

In the month of March 2010, sales in local currencies including VAT increased by 21 percent compared to the same month previous year. Sales in March were positively affected by calendar effects of approximately 2 percentage units and by a somewhat positive effect from the fact that Easter occurred one week earlier this year compared to last year.

Sales development per month in percent excl. currency rate changes:

2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
December 16(5) 10(-1) 3(-7) 15(3)
January 16(5) 17(3) 9(-1) 11(1)
February 15(5) 24(10) 1(-8) 10(-1)
March 29(17) 3(-8) 6(-3) 21(9)
April 21(8) -1(-10) 19(8)
May 10(-2) 25(14) 0(-9)
June 17(5) 8(-2) 4(-5)
July 14(2) 15(3) 7(-3)
August 11(-1) 8(-3) -3(-11)
September 25(12) 10(-2) 1(-8)
October 15(3) 9(-2) 7(-3)
November 14(1) 7(-4) 1(-9)

Whole year 17(5) 11(-1) 4(-5)

The figures in parenthesis represent the sales development in comparable units. Comparable units comprise the stores and the internet and catalogue sales countries that have been in operation for at least a financial year. H&M’s financial year is 1 December to 30 November.

The total number of stores amounted to 2,018 on 31 March 2010 compared to 1,767 at the same time last year.

Sales development in the month of April will be published on Monday 17 May 2010 at 08.00 CET.