Swedish fashion giant Hennes & Mauritz AB on Wednesday announced a six per cent year-on-year rise in September sales - far less than the 12 per cent rate expected by city experts.

Europe''s largest clothing retailer with more than 900 shops in nearly 20 countries, said same-store sales for the latest monthly period dropped by around five per cent.

The firt said France was its best market last month and while the UK and Spain also performed well, sales in Germany and Sweden disappointed amid weak consumer spending, it added.