(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 5 mag - The German fashion house Hugo Boss said its earnings per share slipped to 0.24 euros in the first quarter of 2026 from 0.51 euros the year earlier.

EBIT fell to 35 million euros from 61 million, while the EBIT margin narrowed to 3.9% from 6.1%.

The company's gross margin instead improved by 110 basis points to 62.5%, mainly driven by sourcing efficiencies.

Group sales in the quarter decreased by 6% to 905 million euros, a decrease the company said reflected a deliberate brand and channel realignment.

Sales of the Boss brand fell by 3% while Hugo brand sales were 21% lower.

Hugo Boss sales in the EMEA region declined by 8% while they were 5% lower in the EMEA region and returned to 1% growth in the Asia Pacific area.

Retail sales fell by 3% while wholesale sales were 10% lower.

Free cash flow before leases rose to 33 million euros from a negative 66 million the year earlier, supported by a 13% year over year reduction in inventories.

Hugo Boss reaffirmed its full-year 2026 outlook. It expects currency-adjusted group sales to decline by mid- to.

high-single digits and EBIT of 300-350 million euros.

(RADIOCOR) 05-05-26 10:32:50 (0245) 5 NNNN