The Group's most important performance indicators are sales and EBITDA before special items

As a growth-oriented company, HUGO BOSS attaches particular importance to profitably increasing its sales. All activities to raise sales are gauged by their potential to generate a increase in EBITDA and the EBITDA margin (ratio of earnings to sales) before special items in the long term. EBITDA was chosen as the most important performance indicator as it is a key driver of free cash flow. Productivity increases in the Group's own retail business are seen as the main lever for increasing the EBITDA margin. In addition, the company enhances the efficiency of its sourcing and production activities and optimizes its operating expenses to ensure that they do not outpace sales growth.

Management of the Group companies is directly responsible for obtaining profitable business growth. Consequently, part of the total remuneration of management of the independent distribution companies is variable and tied to the realization of targets for sales and EBITDA before special items as well as other indicators of relevance for cash flow.