Stockholm, Sweden (BBN)- The H&M Group’s sales including VAT increased by 17 percent in local currencies in July 2014 compared to the same month last year.

The total number of stores amounted to 3,314 on 31 July 2014 versus 2,940 on 31 July 2013, the company said in a statement on Friday.

Percentage sales development for the month of August and total revenue in SEK for the third quarter (June to August) will be published in a separate press release on 15 September 2014.

H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (publ) was founded in Sweden in 1947 and is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. The company’s business concept is to offer fashion and quality at the best price.

In addition to H&M, the Group includes the brands COS, Monki, Weekday, Cheap Monday, & Other Stories as well as H&M Home. The H&M Group has more than 3,300 stores in 54 markets. In 2013, sales including VAT were approximately SEK 150 billion. The number of employees amounts to more than 116,000.

BBN/SSR/AD-15Aug14-1:00 pm (BST)