Demand for high‑end handbags and silk scarves helped sales at luxury group Hermès rise in the second quarter, as demand in Europe, the US and Japan helped offset a slowdown in the Middle East.

The Paris‑listed leather goods specialist reported sales of €4.1bn in the second quarter at constant exchange rates, up 7 % year‑on‑year and in line with analysts’ forecasts.

All markets except the Middle East grew in the three months to end‑June, where trading has been affected by the conflict between the US and Iran. Sales in the Middle East fell 2.4 %, an improvement on the first quarter’s 5.9 % decline. Sales in Japan and the Americas both grew by double digits, as did the leather‑goods division, rising 10.2 %.

However, revenues from Hermès‑branded perfume and beauty products fell 9.5 %, raising questions about appeal among aspirational middle‑class shoppers. “In the first half of 2026, Hermès delivered a solid performance … we look to the second semester with confidence,” said executive chair Axel Dumas.