For the ninth year in succession, Hermes posted a positive business year in 2012. The enterprise's 12 Group companies rendering retail-related and logistics services worldwide grew overall revenue by 7 percent year on year to 1,928 million euros compared to 1,800 million euros in the prior year. With over 452 million consignments shipped in Europe and a 7.5 percent growth in parcel volumes, Hermes continues to participate in the boom in e-commerce. In 2013, new sites are planned in the EU, Asia and the USA. In addition, the current financial year will see the enterprise set up a Supervisory Board.

Hermes, one of Europe's leading trading and logistics providers, is continuing its international expansion. The company is stepping up its campaign to strengthen its position in key markets and gain proximity to customers and clients. As part of its efforts, company-wide sales positions have been established in key e-commerce strongholds such as the USA, France and the Benelux countries. The aim is to bolster both international acquisitions and the reach of the Hermes brand. A pivotal forum for this is the 'One to One' e-commerce congress in Monaco from 20-21 March, where Hermes will be presenting is global service portfolio.

Numerous guests from the worlds of business and politics gathered in Hamburg yesterday for the second Hermes Future Forum. Entitled "The Coherence of Markets - Sustainable Global Economics in a Context of Worldwide Changed", distinguished speakers discussed developments in world economics and their impact on companies and the retailing industry. Besides football icon Franz Beckenbauer and US astronaut Buzz Aldrin, distinguished guests included author and economist Prof Jeremy Rifkin, Chinese economist Dr Olin Liu and Ralf Kleber, CEO of Amazon Germany.

German logistics specialists Hermes will become the new official premium partner for the country's football Bundesliga with effect from 1 January 2013. When the 2012/13 restarts after the winter break, all players in the country's top two tiers of football will wear the company's logo on the left arm of their shirts. In addition, Hermes will transport the championship trophy and be responsible for ensuring to it reaches its destination in time to honour the newly-crowned champions on the last day of the season. For the Bundesliga's new partner this also includes taking the championship trophy on a 'Trophy Tour' of major German cities, presenting it to all fans before the end of the season.

Companies operating under the Hermes brand were again able to grow their global revenues in the financial year 2011. Overall revenues increased to 1.8 billion euros, up by more than 4.7 percent year on year (prior year: 1.724 billion euros). Given the positive trend across all four business units - sourcing & product, transport logistics, fulfilment and distribution - the Hamburg-based enterprise was able to employ 773 more staff worldwide. Thus, by the end of the prior financial year 2010/11, the twelve Hermes companies were employing 11,011 staff in over 20 countries.

Hermes, a sister company of Crate & Barrel, today announced its participation at the IRCE show taking place in Chicago 5-8 June this year. Hermes is one of the leading international providers of full service eCommerce and integrated supply chain solutions for retailers and brands. The company belongs to the Otto Group, an assembly of retail and service companies with 50,000 employees worldwide. Next to Amazon, the Otto Group is the second largest eCommerce retailer in the world.

"The World of Hermes at a Glance": From today, Hermes will be presenting the full-range service portfolio of all national and international companies operating under the Hermes brand for the first time under www.hermesworld.com - a brand new website. Hermes is the only service provider in the world capable of providing its business clients with integrated solutions along the whole supply chain - from procurement to home delivery. This new website and an umbrella brand campaign combine to focus this core competence at the heart of corporate communication. The aim of the company's marketing activities is strengthen the uniform positioning of all Hermes Group companies.