French luxury group Hermès has posted an 18.3% rise in 2011 sales, boosted by demand for the brand in Europe, the Americas and Asia, and said its operating margin had increased significantly.

The leathergoods brand said revenue reached EUR2.84 billion in 2011, beating its own target for 15-16% sales growth at constant exchange rates. The operating margin exceeded 30%, compared with 27.8% in 2010.

“Hermès will continue to invest in developing its production capacity and its distribution network,” the company said in a financial notice published in Les Echos newspaper, adding that it would open or renovate 15 stores during 2012.

Hermès also said that it bought back EUR286 million of its own shares during the last year.

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