Luxury leathergoods group Hermès has reported first-quarter revenues of more than €4.1 billion, an increase of 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year.By Leatherbiz.

It achieved growth in all markets. Revenues in Asia were up by 5.1% to reach almost €2.4 billion. The figure for Europe was €857 million, up by 13.3%, while revenues in the Americas reached €695 million, also up by 13.3%.

It said the remaining €185 million had come from other markets, but placed particular emphasis on the market in the Middle East for this, giving growth there of 16.8% year on year.

Its leathergoods and saddlery division achieved sales revenues of €1.8 billion in the first quarter, growth of 11.4%. For its second-largest category, ready-to-wear and accessories, which includes shoes, gloves and small leathergoods, it reported a figure of more than €1.1 billion, up by 8.3%.

Executive chairman, Axel Dumas, said Hermès was “strengthening its fundamentals more than ever”, in a complex geopolitical and economic context. Explaining what these fundamentals are, he listed “uncompromising quality, creativity at the heart of all development, vertical integration, and a guarantee of preserving unique savoir-faire”.

He said Hermès customers trust the company and that its employees are committed to continuing their good work.

The company described the performance of its leathergoods and saddlery division as robust, driven by “sustained demand and the enrichment of collections”. Examples it gave of success new products included its Médor and Mousqueton bag models.

It pointed out that its efforts to increase its production capacity in France were ongoing and were paying off. A new leathergoods workshop will open this year at L’Isle d’Espagnac, another will open next year at Loupes and another the year after at Charleville-Mézières.

Developing and training new generations of artisan leathergood craftspeople in France will keep Hermès anchored to its home country, the company said.