German luxe fashion brand Hugo Boss’ sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 went up six per cent. Sales from the group’s own online business soared 47 per cent. In the wholesale business, sales picked up significantly by 10 per cent.

Ebitda before special items remained virtually unchanged compared to the prior-year period. Hugo Boss online store saw positive growth. Ebit was below the prior-year level, mainly due to the non-recurrence of other operating income recorded in the previous year. Following improved financial result, the decline in the group’s net income was lower as compared to Ebit.

The renovation of existing retail stores and the cross-channel integration and digitisation of the group’s own retail activities were the focus of investment activity in the second quarter. Overall, Hugo Boss recorded currency-adjusted sales growth of five per cent in the first six months of fiscal year 2018. Ebitda before special items was unchanged over previous year.

The group continues to expect currency-adjusted sales growth in the low to mid single-digit range. In addition, Ebitda before special items is expected to develop within a range of minus two to two per cent compared to the prior year.