Newscasts - H&M flags slow winter sales after Q4 profit rises more than expected

H and M Hennes and Mauritz AB

29/01/2026 10:32

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Source: 'Reuters - Business videos'

Description: Swedish fashion retailer H&M reported on Thursday a forecast-beating jump in September-November profit helped by lower costs, but flagged a drop in December-January local-currency sales. Ciara Lee reports.

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Video Transcript:

Swedish fashion retailer H&M reported a forecast-beating jump in September to November profit on Thursday, helped by lower costs, but flagged a drop in December to January local currency sales. Operating profit in H&M's fiscal fourth quarter, which includes the crucial Black Friday weekend, was $723.5 million. That's up from around $522 million a year earlier. The rival to Zara-owner Inditex said it sees December and January sales measured in local currencies down 2%. It said strong sales during Black Friday in November led to subdued demand in December, and Chinese New Year falling in February also weighed. H&M has struggled to expand its sales as online retailers like SHEIN attract shoppers with ultra-low prices while bigger competitor Zara dominates the upmarket end of fast fashion.