Hennes & Mauritz October Total Sales Up 13%

STOCKHOLM -(Dow Jones)- Fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz AB (HM-B.SK) Monday said sales in October rose in line with expectations, after slow consumer spending, especially in France, Spain and the U.S., knocked sales a year earlier. The world's third largest fashion chain after U.S.-based Gap Inc. (GPS) and Spain's Inditex S.A. (ITX.MC) said sales from stores open more than a year rose 3%, somewhat below expectations of a 4.6% rise, while total sales were up 13%, in line with forecasts. H&M's sales have risen consistently in recent months, as the retailer has continued to attract consumers by