Hermes Experiences Sales Uptick

Hermes Intl. SA (Paris) said its 2008 sales rose by nearly 9 percent, to just under $2.4 billion, and that its net profit eked out an 0.8 percent increase, hitting $391.5 million. In the coming year, the fashion house plans to open 12 stores, including three in China, and to renovate 13 others. “We are spending more time looking at developing the business than reducing costs,” ceo Patrick Thomas told The Wall Street Journal.