H&M’s sales including VAT increased by seven per cent in local currencies during the first six months of the financial year. Profits in the second quarter were negatively affected mostly by higher purchasing costs due to the strengthened US dollar and by increased markdowns.

H&M will offer e-commerce in 34 markets by the end of the year. The group plans a net addition of around 425 new stores for the 2015-2016 financial year. New markets for 2016 are Puerto Rico, New Zealand and Cyprus. Today the group has more than 4000 stores in strong retail locations in a total of 62 markets.

The combination of strong brands, a large body of retail stores in good locations and a successful e-commerce business puts H&M in a unique market position for future growth. H&M’s, continued focus is to grow both through physical stores and online as well as to integrate these two sales channels. H&M’s work on sustainability is an important part of its offering. For six years in a row H&M has been named by Ethisphere as one of the most ethical companies in the world. It has now climbed to 20th place in world’s most sustainable companies ranking. H&M is also included in the Dow Jones sustainability index of the most sustainable companies in Europe and the world.