H&M GROUP SALES DEVELOPMENT IN OCTOBER

In the month of October 2009, sales in local currencies including VAT increased by 7 percent compared to the same month previous year. The continued recession affected sales differently across H&M’s markets. Sales in Scandinavia, Central Europe and Asia were very satisfactory while most other markets, primarily France, Spain and the US, had a continued weak sales development. Sales increase per month in per cent excl. currency rate changes: 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 December 14(4) 16(5) 10(-1) 3(-7) January 15(5) 16(5) 17(3) 9(-1) February 11(2) 15(5) 24(10) 1(-8) March 0(-8) 29(17) 3(-8) 6(-3) April 9(1) 21(8) -1(-10) 19(8) May 13(5) 10(-2) 25(14) 0(-9) June 9(1) 17(5) 8(-2) 4(-5) July 11(2) 14(2) 15(3) 7(-3) August 15(5) 11(-1) 8(-3) -3(-11) September 9(0) 25(12) 10(-2) 1(-8) October 12(3) 15(3) 9(-2) 7(-3) November 11(2) 14(1) 7(-4) Whole year 11(2) 17(5) 11(-1) 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 1,925 on 31 October 2009 compared to 1,702 at the same time last year. Sales development in the month of November will be published on Tuesday 15 December 2009 at 08.00 CET. Karl-Johan Persson, Managing Director