H&M

Overview

H&M is a Swedish multinational clothing retailer and the second-largest international clothing company after Inditex. The company operates a fast fashion business model, selling apparel, accessories, and homeware through over 4,000 stores across more than 80 markets and online in over 60 markets. H&M is known for making fashion accessible and affordable to a broad consumer base while increasingly emphasizing sustainable and recycled materials in its product offerings.

History

Erling Persson founded H&M in 1947 as Hennes, a women's wear store in Västerås, Sweden, inspired by his trip to New York City. In 1968, the company acquired Mauritz Widforss, a hunting apparel company, and changed its name to Hennes & Mauritz (H&M). The company was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1974 and expanded internationally, opening its first store outside Scandinavia in London in 1976 and its first U.S. store on Fifth Avenue in New York in 2000. H&M has since grown into a family of brands including COS, & Other Stories, Monki, Weekday, and ARKET, with continued expansion into new markets including Brazil starting in 2025.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

H&M sources clothing products globally, with primary manufacturing locations in China and Bangladesh. While headquartered in Sweden, H&M operates 21 supplier and factory locations within the country. The company has committed to using 80% recycled or sustainably sourced materials in commercial products as of 2025.

Notable Products

• H&M Studio Collections - Limited-edition designer collaborations released biannually since 2013, debuted at Paris Fashion Week
• H&M Basic Essentials - Core wardrobe staples including jeans, t-shirts, and basics positioned as affordable everyday wear
• H&M Conscious Collection - Line emphasizing sustainable materials and ethical production practices

Reputation

H&M is recognized as a leader in making fashion accessible to mass markets at affordable prices, with strong brand recognition globally. The company has faced criticism regarding labor practices and environmental impact of fast fashion, though it has made efforts to improve sustainability by introducing garment collection programs and increasing use of recycled materials. Industry observers credit H&M with democratizing fashion and designer collaborations, though some view its fast fashion model as contributing to overconsumption and waste.