Boss takes control of store expansion

METZINGEN, Germany - The German fashion house Hugo Boss AG said that it expects the Chinese market and its expanding network of own-brand stores to drive double-digit growth in both sales and earnings this year.

The group, known for its sharp suits, said it expects sales to grow at least 12 percent and underlying earnings to rise at least 15 percent. "We closed 2010 with excellent results and have maintained this dynamic into the new year," Chief Executive Claus Dietrich Lahrs said on Tuesday.

Hugo Boss had already published preliminary results in February, showing sales of 1.7 billion euros ($2.40 billion) and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization were 350 million euros.