Sales development in December 2001

Press Release Turnover for the H&M Group increased in December 2001 by 10 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year. Substantially lower stock level compared with December 2000 has led to a more quiet sales development. Lower price reductions have resulted in a considerably improved gross margin for the period. Sales increase per month in per cent excluding currency rate changes: 1999/2000 2000/2001 2001/2002 December 19 7 10 January 13 22 February 27 16 March 5 27 April 18 15 May 15 20 June 7 21 July 10 18 August 3 26 September 22 34 October 5 18 November 8 20 Whole year 12 20 Sales development in the month of January is estimated to be published on 15 February 2002 at 8.30 CET. Rolf Eriksen Managing Director Contact persons: Carl-Henric Enhörning +46-8-796 5410 Leif Persson +46-8-796 1300 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/01/15/20020115BIT00020/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/01/15/20020115BIT00020/bit0001.pdf