French luxury group Hermes will see high single-digit growth in its turnover for 2009 at current exchange rates, its CEO told Reuters on Wednesday.
Speaking to Reuters ahead of the Hermes spring/summer 2010 womenswear show on Wednesday, CEO Patrick Thomas gave a downbeat longer-term outlook.
“My expectations for the 15 months to come are rather pessimistic. We are in the middle of the crisis and unfortunately there is no massive bounce to be expected in the short-term.”
Referring to his expectations of 2009 sales, Thomas said the year “will be at the top (of single digits) at current exchange rates; at constant exchange rates it will be in the low digits, slightly positive I hope.”
The group was continuing to open stores at the same rate as before,” Thomas said. “We are keeping the trend.” Thomas added that the company had no plans for acquisitions.