Hermès 2009

Hermès to open 1st Brazil store this year (Reuters)
“Paris-based Hermès will open its store in the upscale Cidade Jardim shopping mall in Sao Paulo by mid-September, Valor said, citing Guillaume de Seynes, deputy managing director at Hermès and a member of the company’s founding family.”

Hermès 2Q Sales Rise 12%, Keeps ’09 Guidance (WSJ)
“Luxury goods company Hermès International Tuesday stuck to its full-year target of flat revenue after posting a 12 percent rise in second-quarter sales, with demand for its traditional leather handbags and luggage offsetting much lower turnover for fancy tableware and watches.”

Hermès breeds own crocodiles in Australia for luxury handbags (Times)
“Hermès chief executive Patrick Thomas admitted this week his French fashion house has resorted to farming crocodiles in Australia to keep up with the increasing international demand for their world famous crocodile skin handbags, including the popular Birkin design.”

Luxury market faces turbulence: Hermès (Reuters)
“Hermès believes turbulence could hit the global luxury goods industry for the next two years and has put some expansion plans on hold, the French fashion and leather goods group said on Monday.”

Hermès Q1 sales get lift from bags, currencies (Reuters)
“Hermès proved again it was resisting the crisis better than many of its rivals with a 3.2 percent rise in first-quarter sales, helped by exchange rates and resilient demand for its handbags.” Have a look at this video from the CBC’s Fashion File to see the underlying craftsmanship that has served the brand well during the downturn.

Hermès to Open in the Hamptons (WWD)
The French luxury brand will take up temporary residence in a 2,000-square-foot space specialising in beach attire. (Subscription required)

Hermès Net Up 0.8 Percent (WWD)
Hermès post steady sales with marginal profit gain. (Subscription required)