The Hermes Group closed the 2016 financial year on yet another positive note and was able in particular to gain market share in its parcel and bulky goods segment. The Hamburg-based trading and logistics provider grew its revenue in the 2016 financial year – adjusted for currency translation effects – by over seven percent to 2.640 billion euros (2015: 2.460 billion euros). Instrumental in this was again the Group's European parcel companies which, benefiting from flourishing global online retailing, transported about 640 million parcels to private customers, a rise of ten percent year on year. The Group's 2-man handling unit, delivering furniture and furnishings, also gained significantly with volumes growing by more than six percent. The integration of the French parcel shippers Mondial Relay and the acquisition last year of 2-man handling specialist Girard Agediss enabled Hermes to improve its competitive position in key European markets. Worldwide, Hermes currently employs 12,618 people, 8,500 (FTEs) alone in Germany.

BorderGuru, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hermes Group, has become the official contractual partner of China's Alibaba Group. With a gross merchandise value (GMV) of 452 bn USD and access to over 280 million customers, the Alibaba Group is currently the world's leading online retailer. Through its TMall Global shopping platform, Alibaba offers its Chinese customers popular international brands. On behalf of Cainiao, the logistics provider of the Chinese trading giant, BorderGuru GmbH is managing the whole logistics cross-border shipping process for European clients looking to sell on the booming Chinese market.

Once again the Hermes Group delivered more parcels in Europe over Christmas 2015 than the year before. In December alone, Hermes companies shipped around 25 percent more parcels than in the same period in 2014. This represents the strongest results in the company's history at this crucial time of the year for the parcel delivery industry. Key to this success lies primarily in encouraging developments at Hermes parcel companies in Germany, Austria and the UK. Having introduced new mobile services for the retail trade, these companies have been participating significantly in the ongoing boom in e-commerce. Hermes is also looking to push ahead with its strategy for growth in 2016 wit the Hermes Group generating additional capacities and expanding its global portfolio.

In addition to record volumes anticipated for Germany, the Hermes Group is expecting to post a significant increase in volumes across Europe in the lead up to Christmas. The seasonal trading period officially kicked off in October. Hermes country companies in Austria, the UK, Russia and Italy are positioned to cope with an average rise of 25 percent in the number of parcels to be transported. Besides private parcels and online orders delivered on time for Christmas, this also includes corresponding returns following the gift-giving days themselves. In preparation for this deluge of parcels, many locations are currently expanding delivery capacity. The peak forecast for Hermes UK is particularly impressive with parcel volumes expected to be up 32 percent compared to non-peak. This could lead to an increase of 20 percent compared to last year’s peak.

Hermes, operator of the largest 2C parcel shop network in Europe, announces the publication of its 2015 sustainability report, Networked Action. Published biennially, this year’s report reviews the Hermes Group's business, social and ecological achievements within the context of global trade in 2013 and 2014, and its ongoing initiatives. This is the logistics and retailing services provider's second progress report on sustainability, significantly expanding on its 2013 report. With the inclusion of Hermes UK (HUK) and Hermes-OTTO International, and the active involvement of key stakeholders in the Hermes Group’s sustainable strategies, the 2015 report meets the Level B Sustainability Reporting Standards set forth by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for the first time.

The retail and logistics services provider Hermes extended its successful development in the financial year 2014/15. The Hamburg-based enterprise grew global revenue by over seven percent to 2.230 billion euros (2013/14: 2.083 billion euros). The European parcel and logistics business played a major role in this success moving over 530 million parcels. The number of employees rose 656 to 12,470 worldwide. In 2015, Hermes is adding new services for both private and business customers to enhance parcel shipments. The focus is on options for shipment delivery and customer-oriented solutions for cross-border shopping - even overseas.

Hermes-Otto International (H-OI), part of the Hermes Group of companies and a subsidiary of the Otto Group, is extending its portfolio. Through its newly-established ASTRA Supply Chain Services Ltd., H-OI is now offering bundled services covering auditing and quality control in key sourcing markets as well as IT-based supply chain solutions. The new company, officially launched today, focuses on providing services to the textile industry.

Hermes strengthens its operations in China. As part of its effort to serve the rising demand for international transport to and from Asia even better than before, Hermes has now opened a local branch office. This will enable the company to render its logistics services with immediate effect, and increasingly for traders from the Far East. Its focus is on both turnkey supply chain solutions and environmentally sound sea and airfreight transportation. To facilitate this, Hermes Transport Logistics Asia was founded in Hong Kong in 2014. From now on, Hermes is looking to tap the Chinese market through its subsidiary Greater China.

Hermes Fulfilment cooperates with Finnish logistics provider Itella. The aim of the partnership is to make it easier for West European retailers to enter the Russian market by offering them full service e-commerce solutions.

International e-commerce full-service provider Hermes NexTec, launched two independent online shops for Lee and Wrangler across multiple European countries. Hermes NexTec has teamed up with the tradition-steeped denim brands in the beginning of this year. This latest customer acquisition strengthens Hermes NexTec's position in the fashion and lifestyle segment to include two more highly popular brands. Wrangler and Lee are both part of the VF Corporation; esteemed as a leading apparel groups in the world and a market leader in branded lifestyle apparel and footwear. VF owns brands such as The North Face, Eastpak, Timberland and Vans amongst others.