Brief: H&M CEO: Middle East instability could result in slightly additional cost pressure

H and M Hennes and Mauritz AB

26/03/2026 08:41

March 26 (Reuters) - H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB HMb.ST to analysts and media in a call:

H&M CEO: INVENTORY COMPOSITION IS GOOD FOR SPRING

H&M CEO: WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP DIGITAL STORE, IMPROVING SEARCH, CHECK OUT

H&M CEO: CURRENT GEOPOLITICAL INSTABILITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST COULD, IF EXTENDED, RESULT IN SLIGHTLY ADDITIONAL COST PRESSURE

H&M CEO: WORKING CLOSELY WITH PARTNERS TO PROTECT SAFETY OF CUSTOMERS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE MIDDLE EAST REGION

H&M CEO ON MIDDLE EAST: ON A GLOBAL SCALE, WE DON'T SEE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AT THIS POINT IN TIME

H&M CEO: CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN UNDER HIGH INFLATIONARY PRESSURE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND INCREASING ENERGY PRICES COULD HAVE A SPILLOVER EFFECT

H&M CEO: HAVE SEEN SOLID CONSUMER DEMAND IN THE U.S.

H&M CEO ON MIDDLE EAST: FOR MARCH TRADING, WE DON'T SEE ANY MAJOR IMPACT APART FROM THE EFFECTS IN THE IN THE AFFECTED REGION

H&M CFO: WE SEE BIG RISE IN AIR TRANSPORT COST RIGHT NOW, BUT H&M IS NOT PARTICULARILY HARD HIT GIVEN FAIRLY LOW SHARE OF AIR FREIGHT

H&M CEO: NOT SATISFIED WITH TOPLINE PERFORMANCE IN Q1

H&M CEO: OUR CUSTOMER BASE HAS HAD A LOT OF INFLATIONARY PRESSURE FOR A LONG TIME, SEE A NEED TO ACTIVATE CONSUMERS WITH TACTICAL DEALS

H&M CEO: WE CONTINUE TO MAKE EFFORTS TO SHORTEN LEAD TIMES FROM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, FASHION FORECASTING TO PRODUCTION, SHIPMENT

H&M CEO: HAVE BUILT UP CAPABILITIES TO GET GARMENT FROM IDEA TO SHELF IN FOUR TO SIX WEEKS

H&M CEO: KEY FOR US IS TO SHORTEN THE FULL SUPPLY CHAIN TO TAKE LATER DECISIONS TO PROVIDE A MORE RELEVANT CUSTOMER OFFER, WE ARE RAMPING UP THE EFFORTS

H&M CEO: WE SEE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AMERICA

Further company coverage: [HMb.ST]

(Reporting by Greta Rosen Fondahn )

((anna.ringstrom@thomsonreuters.com))