Hermes sales grow most in four years

Surging demand in Asia and especially mainland China helped Birkin handbag maker Hermes post better-than-expected sales growth for the second quarter.

Geneva: Hermes International reported its fastest quarterly sales growth in more than four years, buoyed by demand from Chinese consumers, another sign that the world’s largest luxury market is holding up.

The French maker of the famed Birkin bag reported sales growth of 12% at constant exchange rates yesterday, beating analysts’ estimates. The stock, which has gained 27% this year, briefly touched a record in Paris trading and then ceded those gains.