• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers

3

Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers

3

Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
FinanceHermes International
Europe

Hermès confirms plans to hike prices on its $10,000 bags in response to U.S. tariffs

Prarthana Prakash
By
Prarthana Prakash
Prarthana Prakash
Europe Business News Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
Prarthana Prakash
By
Prarthana Prakash
Prarthana Prakash
Europe Business News Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 17, 2025, 7:29 AM ET
Presentation to the public of a rare Hermès bag
Hermès will increase prices on its Birkin and Kelly bags from May 1, 2025.Sylvain Lefevre—Getty Images

Hermès will sell its bags and scarves at a higher price in the U.S. than in other parts of the world, in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. 

Recommended Video

The French company, which had long resisted the sector-wide slowdown and became the most valuable luxury company ahead of LVMH earlier this week, said it plans to pass the additional costs from tariffs to its affluent customers. 

This will apply in addition to Hermès’s planned price hike of 6% to 7% this year. Its bags typically cost over $10,000, with the rare ones even selling for more than $85,000.  

“We are going to fully offset the impact of these new duties by increasing our selling prices in the United States from May 1, across all our business lines,” Hermès CFO Eric du Halgouët said in an interview with journalists on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Hermès warned it might do so during its annual results announcement in February, as moving production is out of the question.

“We’re very attached to our production where it is,” executive chair Axel Dumas said, according to Bloomberg.

The Birkin and Kelly bag maker shared its pricing plans along with its first-quarter results on Thursday. It reported €4.1 billion in sales, up 7% in the first three months of the year (in constant exchange rate terms) compared with the same period in 2024.

The figures fell short of analyst expectations owing to softer demand in China and lower revenue in the parts of its business that draw more aspirational shoppers, including perfume and watches.

“In a complex geopolitical and economic context, the house is strengthening its fundamentals more than ever,” Dumas said in a statement. 

Nonetheless, Hermès’s staying power with its wealthy clientele helped its business grow in every geography. Given the company’s exposure to the topmost tier of shoppers, it remains relatively sheltered from the impact of tariffs on broader consumer sentiment.

“We expect the group to benefit from far superior pricing power versus peers,” Jefferies analysts led by James Grzinic said in a Thursday note. 

Trump slapped a 10% tariff on imports from around the world this month after delaying higher duties of 20% and above on the European Union. Many luxury purveyors lack a manufacturing presence in the U.S., including Gucci owner Kering, and they value having “Made in France” or “Made in Italy” tags. This leaves companies with few options beyond passing additional price increases on to customers. 

In theory, because of their relatively price-agnostic base of shoppers and the desirability attached to the goods, the demand for all things luxury doesn’t respond too drastically to price increments. But relentless hikes in recent years against the backdrop of economic pressures have already dampened the appetite of many shoppers, contributing to the luxury sector’s slowdown.

Estimates suggest that prices are now 61% higher than in 2019, and whatever growth brands achieved also came down to price rather than volume. 

“Several of the industry’s growth-driving engines have stalled. Price increases have reached a ceiling, and higher prices are negatively affecting demand from aspirational luxury consumers,” McKinsey said in its “State of Luxury” report released in January. 

The anomalous world order we live in could force brands into a corner: either hike prices for shoppers to pay or find a way to make manufacturing in the U.S. work. 

So, while Hermès may be the first luxury giant to initiate price hikes, it surely won’t be the last.

Representatives at Hermès didn’t immediately return Fortune’s request for comment.

About the Author
Prarthana Prakash
By Prarthana PrakashEurope Business News Reporter
LinkedIn icon

Prarthana Prakash was a Europe business reporter at Fortune.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

c
EconomyEuropean Union
Europe Just admitted the Iran War’s price shock isn’t going away
By Menelaos Hadjicostis and The Associated PressMay 23, 2026
16 minutes ago
t
RetailEconomics
The market keeps winning. Most Americans are losing faith
By Stan Choe and The Associated PressMay 23, 2026
38 minutes ago
t
PoliticsWhite House
Trump was supposed to talk about the economy. Instead he asked why toiletries are locked up in pharmacies
By Nick Lichtenberg, Seung Min Kim, Darlene Superville and The Associated PressMay 23, 2026
45 minutes ago
fda
BankingTobacco
FDA’s tobacco center just drafted new rules to let ecigs, pouches onto market, but staffers didn’t write them
By Matthew Perrone and The Associated PressMay 23, 2026
51 minutes ago
w
BankingFederal Reserve
Trump on new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh: ‘Do your own thing’ but don’t lose your way like Jerome Powell did
By Will Weissert, Michelle L. Price and The Associated PressMay 23, 2026
56 minutes ago
Mel Robbins
SuccessGen Z
Millionaire podcaster Mel Robbins hits back at Gen Z’s lazy label—she says they’re stuck in a world their baby boomer parents wouldn’t even recognize
By Emma BurleighMay 23, 2026
2 hours ago

Most Popular

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
2 days ago
Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers
Success
Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers
By Emma BurleighMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
AI
Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
By Jake AngeloMay 22, 2026
23 hours ago
Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50
Success
Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50
By Preston ForeMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
Success
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
3 days ago
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
4 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.