H&M has reported a 6% fall in like-for-like sales in July as the world's second-largest clothes retailer suffered from weak consumer sentiment in Europe.
The July figure was the biggest monthly sales drop for the Swedish budget fashion chain since April 2010, when sales in local currencies at established stores were also down 6%.
H&M said total July sales, which include stores opened in the past year, were up 3% in local currencies - the smallest rise since March and below analysts' expectations.
Like-for-like sales at H&M often track developments in its largest market, Germany. Clothing sales there were flat in July, according to industry journal Textilwirtschaft.
Europe's biggest clothes retailer, Zara owner Inditex, has suffered less than H&M from slack European demand because of a stronger presence in fast-growing emerging markets.
