Known for its smart men's suits, Hugo Boss has introduced more casual and sportswear styles to appeal to a younger audience and invested heavily in its online offer after a bid to go upmarket backfired a few years ago.

The company said it expected a high single-digit percentage increase in operating profit for 2019 and a mid single-digit percentage rise in currency-adjusted sales.

"We are ensuring profitable growth in 2019 and beyond. Strong momentum in our own online business and in Asia will make a significant contribution this year,” Chief Executive Mark Langer said in a statement.

Investors are worried about slowing demand for luxury goods as the economy stalls in China, but Hugo Boss forecast "overproportionate growth" in the Asia-Pacific region.

The company said it expected strong double-digit growth to continue in its online business, after it reached sales of more than 100 million euros in 2018 for the first time.

British rival Burberry reported a 1 percent rise in same-store sales in the 13 weeks ending Dec. 29, missing a 2 percent growth forecast.

(Reporting by Emma Thomasson; editing by Thomas Seythal and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)