Quarterly Statement for Q1 2025
Metzingen, May 6, 2025
Q1 2025 developments
- Increased macroeconomic uncertainties weigh on global consumer sentiment and impact industry development
- Consistent execution of strategic growth initiatives drives brand momentum and limits decline in currency-adjusted Group sales to 2% in Q1
- Currency-adjusted revenues in EMEA (–1%) and the Americas (–1%) declined slightly; Asia/Pacific (–8%) impacted by ongoing subdued consumer demand in China
- Digital business continues its growth trajectory (+4%), partially offsetting revenue declines in both brick-and-mortar retail (–4%) and brick-and-mortar wholesale (–3%)
- Gross margin remains stable, as efficiency gains in sourcing compensate for headwinds resulting from the challenging market environment
- Operating expenses remain at prior-year level, reflecting ongoing focus on cost efficiency
- EBIT amounts to EUR 61 million (Q1 2024: EUR 69 million), supported by further efficiency gains, resulting in an EBIT margin of 6.1% in Q1
Outlook 2025
- Full-year 2025 outlook confirmed: Group sales to remain broadly stable (–2% to +2%), EBIT to increase by +5% to +22%, with EBIT margin targeted between 9.0% and 10.0%
- Macroeconomic volatility to remain elevated, intensified by ongoing tariff uncertainty; subdued global consumer sentiment continues to weigh on industry development
- Brand and product initiatives to further fuel brand relevance, including global launch of first BOSS collection co-designed with David Beckham in April
- Balanced focus on strategic investments and cost efficiency aimed at driving profitability improvements in 2025
Daniel Grieder, Chief Executive Officer of HUGO BOSS: “Following a strong finish to 2024, our performance in the first quarter of 2025 was affected by the rising macroeconomic uncertainty, which impacted global consumer sentiment and our industry. Against this backdrop, we continued to place strong emphasis on what we have in our control. We further advanced our most impactful strategic initiatives, such as our BOSS ONE bodywear campaign with David Beckham, to further strengthen the relevance of BOSS and HUGO. At the same time, we continued to realize cost efficiencies across important areas of our business, optimizing our global sourcing activities and unlocking further productivity gains. Altogether, these efforts supported our top- and bottom-line development in the first quarter. In light of our Q1 performance, we confirm our 2025 sales and earnings outlook. We remain committed to balancing strategic investments with disciplined cost management, to further drive brand momentum and profitability improvements throughout the year. At the same time, we are closely monitoring macroeconomic developments and remain vigilant in light of the elevated global uncertainties, including the current tariff discussions. Thanks to our flexible sourcing setup and our strong operational backbone, we are strategically positioned to adapt effectively to potential trade-related developments. With our two powerful brands, our resilient supply chain, and our agile organizational platform, I am confident in our ability to successfully navigate the external challenges ahead. We are well positioned and firmly committed to continuing our journey in 2025 and beyond.”
Q1 sales development
- In the first quarter of 2025, increased macroeconomic uncertainties weighed strongly on global consumer sentiment and industry development. Particularly in China, weak consumer confidence further dampened economic growth, resulting in persistently subdued local demand. In addition, the U.S. market experienced a notable deterioration in consumer spending, reflecting growing economic uncertainty.
- Against this backdrop, HUGO BOSS remained focused on leveraging key strategic growth initiatives. In doing so, the Company limited the decline in currency-adjusted Group sales to minus 2%. In Group currency, sales also decreased 2%, amounting to EUR 999 million in the first quarter (Q1 2024: EUR 1,014 million).
Q1 sales development by brand
- BOSS and HUGO successfully advanced key brand and product initiatives in the first quarter of 2025, aimed at further fueling brand relevance. Highlights included the launch of both brands’ Spring/Summer 2025 collections and the BOSS ONE bodywear campaign featuring David Beckham, gaining strong attention across social media and beyond. While these initiatives continued to drive brand momentum throughout the quarter, broader consumer headwinds weighed on the sales performance of both brands.
- Currency-adjusted revenues for BOSS Menswear declined by 2%, while BOSS Womenswear recorded a slight decrease of 1%.
- Also at HUGO, currency-adjusted sales remained 2% below the prior-year level.
Q1 sales development by segment
- In EMEA, currency-adjusted revenues declined slightly by 1%, with similar performances across key markets. While revenues in Germany remained at the prior-year level, sales in the UK and France decreased slightly.
- Also in the Americas, currency-adjusted revenues remained 1% below the prior-year level, largely reflecting a moderate sales decline in the U.S. market. This development reflects subdued demand from both domestic consumers and international tourists, resulting in softer mall and store traffic. At the same time, HUGO BOSS maintained its double-digit growth trajectory in Latin America.
- In Asia/Pacific, currency-adjusted sales declined by 8%, as ongoing weak consumer sentiment in China continued to weigh on domestic retail consumption. By contrast, sales in Southeast Asia & Pacific were up slightly, supported by a double-digit uptick in Japan.
- Sales in the license business increased 10%, reflecting revenue improvements across key product categories, including fragrances, watches, and eyewear.
Q1 sales development by channel
- In the Group’s brick-and-mortar retail business (including freestanding stores, shop-in-shops, and outlets), currency-adjusted revenues declined by 4%, primarily reflecting lower traffic in key markets such as the U.S. and China.
- Sales in brick-and-mortar wholesale declined by 3% currency-adjusted, reflecting the overall challenging market environment and a slight timing shift in deliveries into the second quarter.
- The Group’s digital business continued its growth trajectory also in the first quarter, with currency-adjusted sales up 4%. Growth was primarily driven by a robust increase in digital sales generated with partners.
Q1 earnings development
- At 61.4%, the gross margin in the first quarter of 2025 remained on par with the prior-year level. Continued efficiency gains in sourcing coupled with more favorable product costs provided tailwinds to gross margin development. This compensated for adverse channel and regional mix effects, unfavorable currency effects, as well as an overall more promotional market environment.
- In the first quarter of 2025, HUGO BOSS continued to successfully execute various cost-efficiency measures across key business areas. As a result, operating expenses remained at the prior-year level. As a percentage of sales, however, operating expenses increased by 60 basis points.
- Selling and marketing expenses remained stable as compared to the prior-year level, reflecting disciplined cost management in the three-month period. As a percentage of Group sales, they increased 60 basis points to a level of 44.2% (Q1 2024: 43.6%). As part of this, selling expenses for brick-and-mortar retail were up 3% to EUR 226 million, representing 22.6% of Group sales (Q1 2024: EUR 219 million; 21.6%). This development was driven by inflation- and expansion-related costs. Marketing investments also grew 3% year over year to EUR 79 million (Q1 2024: EUR 77 million). While the Company continued to drive marketing effectiveness, the increase was mainly due to major brand campaigns and events in the three-month period. Consequently, marketing investments added up to 7.9% of Group sales (Q1 2024: 7.5%).
- Administration expenses declined by 1%, supported by ongoing efficient overhead cost management. As a percentage of sales, administration expenses amounted to 11.1% (Q1 2024: 11.0%).
- Supported by the Company’s focus on driving cost efficiency, the decrease in operating profit (EBIT) was limited to 12%. As a result, EBIT amounted to EUR 61 million in the first quarter of 2025. Accordingly, the Group's EBIT margin decreased by 70 basis points to a level of 6.1%.
- Consequently, net income amounted to EUR 37 million, down 9% against the prior-year level. Net income attributable to shareholders decreased by 8% to EUR 35 million, resulting in earnings per share of EUR 0.51, also down 8% compared to the prior year.
Trade net working capital
- Trade net working capital (TNWC) increased by 2% currency-adjusted to EUR 888 million. This was mainly driven by a 5% increase in inventories compared to the prior year, largely reflecting higher goods in transit as well as an intentional increase in inventory coverage considering current tariff uncertainty. As a percentage of Group sales, inventories stood at 25.1%, and thus broadly in line with the level at the end of fiscal year 2024 (December 31, 2024: 24.9%; March 31, 2024: 24.4%). At 19.7%, the moving average of TNWC as a percentage of sales based on the last four quarters was also largely stable compared to the level at the end of fiscal year 2024 (December 31, 2024: 19.6%; March 31, 2024: 21.2%).
Outlook
- In 2025, HUGO BOSS remains committed to making further strategic progress while also driving profitability improvements. By investing in key strategic initiatives, the Company is determined to further drive brand relevance and exploit its growth opportunities across regions and channels. At the same time, HUGO BOSS remains focused on leveraging its global sourcing activities and realizing additional cost efficiencies by rigorously managing operating expenses.
- In light of the ongoing high level of macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility, HUGO BOSS remains vigilant and is closely monitoring external developments, including the ongoing tariff discussions. Benefiting from a well-diversified sourcing structure, the Company is carefully evaluating potential measures based on currently available information and remains prepared to respond with agility to any potential further changes in trade policy.
- Against the backdrop of the Company’s performance in the first quarter and the current tariff regime, HUGO BOSS confirms its outlook for fiscal year 2025.
- The Company continues to expect Group sales in reporting currency to remain broadly in line with the prior year (–2% to +2%), ranging between EUR 4.2 billion and EUR 4.4 billion in 2025 (2024: EUR 4.3 billion).
- At the same time, HUGO BOSS continues to anticipate profitability improvements in fiscal year 2025, supported by its ongoing focus on driving additional sourcing and cost efficiencies. Consequently, operating profit (EBIT) is expected to increase to a level of between EUR 380 million and EUR 440 million (2024: EUR 361 million), with the EBIT margin forecast to improve to a level of 9.0% to 10.0% in 2025 (2024: 8.4%).
- Trade net working capital (TNWC) as a percentage of sales is expected to remain at a level of between 19% and 20% in 2025 (2024: 19.6%).
- Capital expenditure is forecast to range between EUR 200 million and EUR 250 million in 2025 (2024: EUR 286 million).
- Further information on the outlook for fiscal year 2025 can be found in the Annual Report 2024.
Risks and Opportunities
- During the reporting period, the Company has not identified any further material risks and opportunities besides those presented in its Annual Report for fiscal year 2024. The statements included therein regarding risks and opportunities continue to be valid.
Financial calendar and contacts
May 15, 2025
Virtual Annual General Meeting
August 5, 2025
Second Quarter Results 2025 & First Half Year Report 2025
November 4, 2025
Third Quarter Results 2025
If you have any questions, please contact:
Media Relations
Carolin Westermann
Senior Vice President Global Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 7123 94-86321
E-mail: carolin_westermann@hugoboss.com
Investor Relations
Christian Stöhr
Senior Vice President Investor Relations
Phone: +49 7123 94-87563
E-mail: christian_stoehr@hugoboss.com