
H&M sales miss expectations amid Red Sea delays and late Black Friday
Fashion chain H&M has revealed weaker-than-expected sales for the past year after it was impacted by Red Sea shipping delays and the late timing of Black Friday.
However, the Swedish retail giant said sales growth improved in December and January as it started a new financial year.
Daniel Erver, who was appointed as the Hennes & Mauritz boss last January, said he is confident the group is 'on the right track'.
The company reported that sales grew by 3%, in local currency, to 62.2 billion Swedish krona (£4.5 billion) over the quarter to the end of November.
This was below the roughly 63.5 billion Swedish krona (£4.6 billion) forecast by analysts. Shares in the company dipped in early trading as a result.
H&M said it built up more stock over the period as it faced longer transport times due to continued disruption.
Net sales across the group were up 1% to 234.5 billion Swedish krona (£17.1 billion) for the year to November.
The company said it opened 88 stores over the year.
H&M added that group sales increased by 4% over the two months to January 28 as demand accelerated.
Bosses at the business have overseen a shake-up in recent months which included the closure of stores under its Monki brand as it sought to streamline its operations.
Mr Erver added: 'During 2024, we made significant improvements.
'Our priority was the H&M product offering, with an initial focus on womenswear, where we increased our trend responsiveness and overall assortment relevance.
'In the fourth quarter, full price selling of womenswear increased in all channels.
'We accelerated the pace of improvements to our supply chain, increasing flexibility and product availability across channels.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
B&M has slashed the price of a GIANT bar of Dairy Milk to just £1
The massive discount works out at £1.17 per kilogram CHOC BARGAIN B&M has slashed the price of a GIANT bar of Dairy Milk to just £1 B&M has slashed the price of massive Dairy Milk chocolate bars to just £1. The budget retailer has reduced the price of the Cadbury fan favourite by a whopping 66 per cent. Advertisement 2 Brits could get their hands on a whopping 850g of chocolate for only £1 Shoppers will be able to bag a bargain at the budget retailer, taking home the 850g chocolate bar for £2 less than usual. The chocolate bars of plain Dairy Milk were once selling in B&M stores for £3. Now shoppers will be able to get their hands on the massive chocolate block at a discounted price. The bargain is subject to availability with stores that don't usually stock the product not selling it at the discounted rate. Advertisement Cadbury is a fan favourite in the UK and is the second largest confectionary brand in the world. The firm makes dozens of flavours of chocolate bars which are sold in stores across the UK. Discounts and offers are often available for the bigger bars with smaller bars sometimes included in meal deals for a discounted rate. The plain Dairy Milk chocolate bar offers no bells and whistles, just a large block of quality milk chocolate. Advertisement B&M are now offering nearly a kilogram of the British classic for just £1. The massive discount offered by B&M will net punters a huge block of chocolate for next to nothing. We've outdone ourselves with this one' say Cadbury Ireland as they reveal new limited edition bar 'coming soon Typically 850g of Cadburys chocolate would set back shoppers anywhere between £3 and £5. The offer can be snapped up at any B&M store as long as they have the snack in stock. Advertisement The budget retailer is known for its impressive deals and offers, regularly reducing fan favourite items by huge amounts. 2 B&M offer massive deals on fan favourite products Credit: Getty The current B&M discount works out at £1.17 per kilogram of chocolate. The offer is currently active but no indication of when it will end has been given. Advertisement It could finish any moment so sweet tooth shoppers better be quick. B&M often slashes the price of big name brands, with some items getting even cheaper if the B&M app is used. The B&M app lets shoppers scan items while they are shopping to discover discounts and offers not listed on shelves.


The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
B&M has slashed the price of a GIANT bar of Dairy Milk to just £1
B&M has slashed the price of massive Dairy Milk chocolate bars to just £1. The budget retailer has reduced the price of the Cadbury fan favourite by a whopping 66 per cent. Shoppers will be able to bag a bargain at the budget retailer, taking home the 850g chocolate bar for £2 less than usual. The chocolate bars of plain Dairy Milk were once selling in B&M stores for £3. Now shoppers will be able to get their hands on the massive chocolate block at a discounted price. The bargain is subject to availability with stores that don't usually stock the product not selling it at the discounted rate. Cadbury is a fan favourite in the UK and is the second largest confectionary brand in the world. The firm makes dozens of flavours of chocolate bars which are sold in stores across the UK. Discounts and offers are often available for the bigger bars with smaller bars sometimes included in meal deals for a discounted rate. The plain Dairy Milk chocolate bar offers no bells and whistles, just a large block of quality milk chocolate. B&M are now offering nearly a kilogram of the British classic for just £1. The massive discount offered by B&M will net punters a huge block of chocolate for next to nothing. We've outdone ourselves with this one' say Cadbury Ireland as they reveal new limited edition bar 'coming soon Typically 850g of Cadburys chocolate would set back shoppers anywhere between £3 and £5. The offer can be snapped up at any B&M store as long as they have the snack in stock. The budget retailer is known for its impressive deals and offers, regularly reducing fan favourite items by huge amounts. 2 The current B&M discount works out at £1.17 per kilogram of chocolate. The offer is currently active but no indication of when it will end has been given. It could finish any moment so sweet tooth shoppers better be quick. B&M often slashes the price of big name brands, with some items getting even cheaper if the B&M app is used. The B&M app lets shoppers scan items while they are shopping to discover discounts and offers not listed on shelves. How to save money on chocolate We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar. Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs... Go own brand - if you're not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you'll save by going for the supermarket's own brand bars. Shop around - if you've spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it's cheaper elsewhere. Websites like let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you're getting the best deal. Look out for yellow stickers - supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they've been reduced. They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged. Buy bigger bars - most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar. So if you've got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.


The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Marks & Spencer is back online – these are my favourite fashion picks for summer
I spend a lot of time covering M&S, but the retail giant has been in the news for other reasons this year. Over the Easter weekend, M&S was forced to stop taking orders on its website after days of disruption in stores caused by a cyberattack. With deliveries paused and products in short supply, it's cost the retailer more than £300 million in sales. But, the good news is that online orders have now been resumed. As investigations into the cyber attack continue, stock is set to slowly return online for deliveries and click-and-collect orders. An M&S spokesperson told me: 'We're offering our bestselling products, along with newness and this makes up the majority of our range which is available online today (10 June).' 'More of our fashion, home and beauty ranges will be added every day. For products that are not available online, customers can add them to their 'wish list' and when they come back into stock we will let them know.' Customer loyalty will be key to M&S's survival, with analysts commenting that the retailer has been losing out to rivals. Indeed, the shutdown of online operations coincided with a spring heatwave in the UK, when many people were in the market for summer clothes. I spend much of my time browsing, trying on and reviewing the quality of clothes, particularly on the high street. Whether it's wedding guest dresses or sandals, M&S constantly impresses me with its comfortable and well-crafted clothes, low prices and on-trend styles. While its homeware easily rivals designer brands (see its Tekla-style towels or Pooky-inspired lamps), it's the retailer's fashion that really stands out. It's always been a go-to for well-fitted but feminine bras and soft pyjamas and dressing gowns that will last you years, but M&S used to have a reputation for dowdy clothing. Maddy Evans, director of womenswear at M&S, has led the charge to reinvigorate the brand's clothing offering. Former Topshop fashion director Evans has helped M&S shake those frumpy associations, targeting women who have one eye on the latest designed collections on the catwalk, and another on purse-friendly value. Its fashion takes runway trends and make them wearable day-to-day, all at affordable price points. So, with summer officially here and a heatwave predicted for this weekend, M&S online orders couldn't have resumed at a better time. Here's everything I'm bagging for this season. Giving the designer look for less, this pair of pumps earned a spot in our round-up of the best ballet flats for 2025. Combining the comfort we've come to expect from the high street stalwart with newly elevated style, the dainty style is available in white, black or red and features a slim sole, square toe and flat heel. The delicate self-tie bow fastening and ruched detailing elevate the simple silhouette. Trust me, they're the comfiest flats I own. Swap your florals for polka dot this season. The classic print is having a comeback and this sweet blouse is the perfect everyday style. Characterised by a round neckline and three bow-tie fastenings at the front, the top is cut into a peplum hem with puffed sleeves for extra impact. Finished in all-over polka dot, there's flower-jacquard embellishment for texture. Leopard print is perennially cool (it's a neutral, in my opinion), but the style is back in a big way this summer. M&S's playful take featured in my round-up of the best summer dresses for 2025. Boasting a body-skimming cut that flatters your silhouette, it runs true to size. Complete with a laidback crew neckline and mini hemline, the polyester fabric has a soft jersey feel. M&S also helpfully offers petite, regular and tall lengths, so you can find the perfect fit. An investment for your everyday wardrobe, this M&S style is designed with a fitted bodice and round neckline. The A-line skirt flows out from the waist for a midi hemline cut. Simple but sophisticated, style it with ballet flats and trainers day-to-day before jazzing it up with jewellery and kitten heels in the evening. M&S's linen rich skirt is finished in one of this season's hottest hues, tomato red. Distinguished by its A-line shape and ankle-grazing hem, the shirring on the waistband adds flattering detail. Tone down the bold red hue with a simple white Tee. An effortless way to look put-together, every wardrobe can benefit from a denim dress. This M&S style features a mid hemline and milk-maid style puffed sleeves, while the three bow tie fastenings in the body nod to Ganni. Better yet, there's side pockets. A great choice for Wimbledon or summer occasions, this pure cotton cami dress is finished in a timeless polka dot. Complete with a midaxi-length and flattering sweetheart neckline, the dress has subtle ruched detailing on the bodice to enhance your silhouette.