luxury brand Hermes sales increased by 14.4% in H1

  The consolidated turnover of the Group in the first half of 2013 amounted to € 1,767.2 million, up by 14.4% at constant exchange rates. Given the negative impact of exchange rate fluctuations, mainly due to a weaker yen, the growth was 11.0%.

In the second quarter, sales in the shops to groups strongly (by 16.7% at constant exchange rates) and wholesale sales have steady growth (+12.9% maintained at constant exchange rates). Sales by region and sector (at constant exchange rates, unless otherwise specified) growth in the first half of 2013 was offset in all regions of the world:

Asia ex-Japan (17%) maintained its momentum. Despite a less favorable environment, the Chinese market has continued to show great vitality.
- Japan (8%) confirms the recovery in the first quarter, and returned to the track for a robust growth.
 France (13%) and the rest of Europe (14%) showed a remarkable performance in a challenging economic environment.
-The Americas (17%) had a half-year high. The demand for Hermes remains strong, driven by creativity. The expansion of growth has borne fruit, while advancing salesremains limited production capacity bag.

Leather Goods & Saddlery (10%) continue to invest in production capacity, with the development of two open in 2012 in Isere and Charente-Maritime factories and with the intention of two new facilities for the craft activities create Franche-Comté region.

Ready-to-wear & fashion accessories flush with the success of the last ready-to-wear and accessories, strong growth (+21%). Silk and textiles, with a growth of 13% and benefited from the diversity of its collections. Perfume (20%) remained on an upward trend. The new feminine fragrance Day Hermes was warmly received and Terre d'Hermès continues to grow.

Watch sector (down 1%) was affected by the general slowdown in the watch industry and the high comparison base last year.

Other sectors (jewelery and lifestyle) still (40%) show large potentialfor expansion. Highlights of the end of June, the variations negative and a negative impact on revenue € 53million.

Hermès International is not own shares during the first half of 2013, with the exception of shares under the liquidity contract traded repurchase.