H&M

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H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, commonly known by its brand name H&M, is a Swedish multinational fast fashion retailer headquartered in Stockholm. Known for its fast fashion business model, H&M sells clothing, accessories, and homeware. The company has a significant global presence, operating thousands of stores across 75 geographical markets and employing over 100,000 people worldwide.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

H&M is the second-largest international clothing retailer after Inditex.<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> H&M was founded by Erling Persson in 1947 under the name Hennes. The CEO of H&M from 2020 to 2024 was Helena Helmersson. The current CEO, as of January 2024, is Daniel Erver.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

File:H & M - Store (51396227419).jpg

H&M store on Fifth Avenue in New York City

Foundation

The business was established in 1947 by Erling Persson when he opened his first shop in Västerås, Sweden.<ref name="h&m">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The shop was called Hennes (Swedish for 'hers') and only sold women's clothing. Another store opened in Norway in 1964.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1968, Persson acquired the hunting apparel retailer Mauritz Widforss, located in Stockholm, which led to the inclusion of a menswear collection in the product range, and the name was changed to Hennes & Mauritz.<ref name="h&m" />

The company was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1974.<ref name="h&m" /> Shortly after, in 1976, the first store outside Scandinavia opened in London.<ref name="h&m" /><ref name="The World of H&M">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> H&M continued to expand in Europe and began to retail online in 1998<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with the domain hm.com, which was registered in 1997, according to data available via WHOIS. The opening of its first U.S. store on 31 March 2000 on Fifth Avenue in New York City marked the start of its expansion outside of Europe.<ref name="h&m" />

Home furnishings

File:H&M Home.jpg

H&M Home section in an Antwerp store

In 2008, the company announced in a press release that it would begin selling home furnishings.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> While initially distributed online, the home furnishing items are now sold at H&M Home stores worldwide.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Other brands

Concept stores, including COS, Weekday, Monki and Cheap Monday, were launched following H&M's expansion in Asia. In 2009 and 2010, brand consultancy Interbrand ranked H&M as the twenty-first most-valuable global brand.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Its worth was estimated at $12 billion to $16 billion.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Under the "H&M with Friends", H&M will partner with Good American, a brand founded by Khloe Kardashian and Emme Grede, to feature their products in H&M's Swedish and German e-commerce shops.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2017 H&M founded a new concept store Arket.

Store openings worldwide

H&M operated 2,325 stores at the end of 2011. At the end of August 2012, they were operating 304 more stores, bringing the total to 2,629.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In September 2013, the retailer opened its 3000th store in Chengdu, China.<ref name="AR2013">Compare: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2023, the company announced that it will enter the Brazilian market in both physical and digital formats, expected to begin operations in 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

COVID-19

In October 2020, H&M announced that it was planning to close 5% of its worldwide stores in 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The fashion retailer H&M closed 250 shops throughout the globe and moved the majority of its operations online. The H&M Group's sales growth remained at −34% year-over-year from 2020 week 12 to week 22.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

File:H&M Global map Including Georgia.png

Countries in which H&M operates in (2025)

Withdrawal from the Russian market (2022)

Along with hundreds of other global companies, H&M announced on 2 March 2022, an end to retail operations of its more than 150 stores in Russia as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. H&M cited that it stands "with all the people who are suffering" in Ukraine as well as for "the safety of customers and colleagues" in Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Having recently expanded via its Weekday and & Other Stories formats, Russia was H&M's sixth-biggest market at the time, representing 4% of group sales in the fourth quarter of 2021. The company also temporarily closed its Ukraine stores, which remain closed as of 2023.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Supplies

H&M sources its clothing products from various countries globally. The primary manufacturing locations for H&M products are China, Bangladesh, and India.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> While H&M's headquarters is in Sweden, it operates 21 supplier and factory locations within the country.

Corporate affairs

The key trends for the H&M Group are (as of the financial year ending 30 November):<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

	Revenue (SEK b)Template:Efn	Net profit (SEK b)Template:Efn	Share of revenue online (%)	Number of employees (FTE) (k)	Number of stores (Group)	Number of stores (H&M)	Number of served countries (Group)Template:Efn	Number of served countries (H&M)Template:Efn	Notes/ sources
2015	180	20.8		104	3,924	3,610	61	61
2016	192	18.6		114	4,351	3,962	64	64
2017	200	16.1	12.5	120	4,739	4,288	69	69
2018	210	12.6	14.5	123	4,968	4,433	71	71
2019	233	13.4		126	5,076	4,492	74	74
2020	187	1.2	28	110	5,018	4,429	74	74
2021	198	11.0	32	107	4,801	4,242	75	75
2022	223	3.5	30	106	4,465	3,947	79	78
2023	236	8.7	30	101	4,369	3,872		77	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Designers

• In November 2004, select stores offered an exclusive collection by fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. The press reported there were large crowds and that the initial inventories in big cities were sold out within an hour.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• In November 2006, the company launched a collection by Stella McCartney.
• Also in November 2006, the company launched a collection by avant-garde Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf.
• H&M launched a collaboration designed by pop star Madonna in March 2007.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• In November 2007, several months after collaborating with Madonna, the company launched a collection by Italian designer Roberto Cavalli.
• Finnish company Marimekko was chosen as a guest designer in spring 2008.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• H&M partnered with Comme des Garçons, a Japanese fashion label, in the fall of 2008. Products in the collection included accessories, a unisex fragrance, and clothing for adults and children.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• For spring and summer of 2009, British designer Matthew Williamson created two exclusive ranges for the company – the first being a collection of women's clothes that were released in select stores. For the second collection, Williamson ventured into creating menswear for the first time. It featured swimwear for men and women and was available in all of H&M's stores worldwide.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• On 14 November 2009, the company released a limited-edition diffusion collection by Jimmy Choo featuring handbags and shoes for men and women, with prices ranging from £30 to £170. The collection also included clothing designed by Choo, such as garments made of suede and leather, and was available in 200 stores worldwide, including London's Oxford Circus store.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Sonia Rykiel collaborated with the company by designing a ladies knitwear and lingerie range that was released in select company stores on 5 December 2009.
• French fashion house Lanvin collaborated with H&M to create a new collection, "Lanvin Hearts H&M," in fall 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> The collection, designed to make Lanvin clothing more accessible to the average consumer, featured items that were around 100 euros. Usually Lanvin dresses would cost hundreds of euros more.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• For Spring and Summer 2011, the company worked with fashion blogger Elin Kling, whose collection was only available at select stores.
• H&M announced a collaboration with Versace in June 2011 that was later released on 19 November. Versace also planned a Spring collaboration with the company that would only be available in countries with online sales. Similar to past collaborations, Versace agreed to let H&M use its name for a previously agreed-upon sum, without actually having a role in the design process.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• H&M announced a collaboration with Marni in November 2011. The campaign launched a few months later in Mah 2012 and was led by director Sofia Coppola.Template:Citation needed
  File:Trompe l'oeil printed viscose jersey dress by Maison Martin Margiela for H&M, 2012.jpg

  Trompe-l'œil-printed viscose jersey dress by Maison Martin Margiela for H&M, 2012
• On 4 October 2012, Vogue Japan editor Anna Dello Russo launched an accessories collection with H&M as Paris Fashion Week drew to an end. The collection was stocked in 140 H&M stores worldwide and was also available to purchase online.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• On 12 June 2012, H&M confirmed that it would launch a collaboration with avant-garde label Maison Martin Margiela for a fall rollout. The Maison Martin Margiela collection for H&M hit stores a few months later on 15 November 2012.Template:Citation needed
• Isabel Marant was a collaboration designer for fall 2013 and, for the first time in her career, made a few men's pieces to accompany the women's collection.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The collection sold out very quickly in cities across the globe and was heavily anchored in sales online.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• During the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, H&M announced its first collaboration with an American designer. Alexander Wang was the designer chosen and the collection was released to a select 250 stores around the world on 6 November 2014.
• Balmain was announced as the next collaboration with H&M through Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing's Instagram page. The collection was released on 5 November 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> That year's H&M Christmas campaign was made in collaboration with popstar Katy Perry, who also sang the commercial soundtrack "'Every Day Is A Holiday".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• In November 2016, H&M released a designer line in collaboration with Kenzo.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> That year the company released an annual holiday movie directed by Wes Anderson as part of the company's Christmas advertising campaign.<ref name=":5" /> Titled "Come Together", the short film starred Adrien Brody as a train conductor who saves Christmas after a blizzard delays the train's arrival and causes the few passengers to miss part of the holiday.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Swedish singer Zara Larsson designed a "playful, young, empowering and little glamorous" collection with H&M in February 2017.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• After 20 years, Naomi Campbell came back to collaborate with the company for a global female empowerment commercial spot in fall 2017. She wore clothes that blurred the line between masculine and feminine in the campaign's Tokyo spot-video where she lip-synced "Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do)" by Wham!.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Designers Jeremy Scott and Moschino collaborated with the brand in April 2018.
• With the idea of reviving the spirit of the swinging sixties, H&M collaborated with designer Richard Allan in July 2019.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• The Fleur du Soleil collection, part of H&M's collaboration with Lebanese designer Sandra Mansour, was released in August 2020 and marked the first time the company had partnered with an Arab designer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Irish designer Simone Rocha, daughter of designer John Rocha, was announced as a collaborative partner in March 2021. Rocha's designs launched with an H&M campaign film and images shot by Tyler Mitchell.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Sustainability and environmental awareness

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Used garment vouchers

Starting in February 2013, H&M began offering patrons a voucher in exchange for used garments. Donated garments were to be processed by I:CO, a retailer that repurposes and recycles used clothing with the goal of creating a zero waste economy. The initiative is similar to an April 2012 clothes-collection voucher program launched by Marks & Spencer in partnership with Oxfam.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Endangered forests

In April 2014, H&M joined Zara and other apparel companies in changing their supply chain to avoid endangered forests. The company teamed with Canopy, a nonprofit, to remove endangered and ancient forests from their dissolvable pulp supply chain for their viscose and rayon fabrics.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The H&M Foundation

The H&M Foundation, a nonprofit, was established in 2014 to fund projects that improve humanitarian and environmental issues within the fashion industry. The Persson family, the founders and owners of H&M, originally invested $180 million in the foundation. One of the foundation's projects includes the Green Machine, a recycling technology that would allow clothing to be recycled in a similar way to aluminum can recycling.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Since 2013, the family has made contributions to the foundation, donating SEK1.1 billion (US$154 million) to it.Template:Citation needed According to the OECD, H&M Foundation's financing for 2019 development increased by 7% to US$17 million.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In August 2015, the H&M Foundation announced that it will award the Global Change Award,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> a million-euro annual prize, to advance recycling technology and techniques within the fashion industry.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Brazilian leather halt

In September 2019, H&M halted its leather purchases from Brazil in response to the 2019 Amazon rainforest wildfires.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The company issued an email statement: "The ban will be active until there are credible assurance systems in place to verify that the leather does not contribute to environmental harm in the Amazon." H&M imports only a small fraction of its leather needs from the country.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Sustainability ambassador hiring

Actress Maisie Williams joined the brand as a global sustainability ambassador in April 2021. As a global sustainability ambassador, she helped front the company's campaign on using only recycled or sustainably sourced materials by 2030.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The first initiative fronted by the actress has led to a collaboration with the video game Animal Crossing, with Williams being transformed into a digital game character to teach the virtues of recycling.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Rental clothing

In May 2021, H&M announced a temporary rental clothing service that allows men to rent suits for up to 24 hours for job interviews. It began in the UK and was also being tested in the United States.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Use of feathers

In 2024, the company said that about 90% of the down and feathers in its products came from recycled items but that by the end of 2025, none of their items would use virgin down or feathers.<ref>"H&M to phase out virgin down by the end of 2025," Reuters, 4 October 2024.</ref>

Wool from mulesed sheep

In 2019, H&M announced its intent to phase out wool from mulesed sheep from its global inventory. In 2025, H&M reported that it had fully phased out wool from mulesed sheep. <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Concept stores

File:H&M store in Novi Sad, Serbia.jpg

H&M store in Novi Sad, Serbia

File:H&mPavilions.jpg

H&M store at the Pavilions Shopping Centre, Birmingham, UK

File:H&M Flagship store in HK CWB Exterior 201511.jpg

H&M Asia flagship store at Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

File:U.S. H&M stores 2023.png

Map of H&M stores in the U.S. as of April 2023

Six concept brands

In addition to the H&M brand, the company consists of six individual brands with separate concepts.<ref name="about.hm.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Brands include Afound, Arket, COS, Monki, Weekday, and & Other Stories.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

COS

COS launched its flagship store on London's Regent Street in March 2007 with a catwalk show at the Royal Academy.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> Its concept is encompassed by minimalist style inspired by architecture, graphics, and design.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":0" />

It specializes in modern clothing pieces for men and women that are less trend-oriented than other similarly priced labels.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> COS makes clothing that can be worn beyond the season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> COS has 197 stores in 34 countries<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in Europe, Asia, North America, Australia and the Middle East and currently retails online to 19 markets via cos.com.

H&M Details

2016 saw a new H&M concept in The Dubai Mall come up, labelled now 'H&M Details'.

Labor practices

Working conditions

Cambodia

In August 2011, nearly 300 workers fainted in one week at a Cambodian factory supplying H&M. Fumes from chemicals, poor ventilation, malnutrition, and even "mass hysteria" have all been blamed for making workers ill. The minimum wage in the country is the equivalent of $66 (£42) a month, an amount that is less than half of what is required to meet basic needs, according to human rights groups.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Bangladesh

The same year, Bangladeshi and international labor groups put forth a detailed safety proposal that entailed the establishment of independent inspections of garment factories. The plan called for inspectors to have the power to close unsafe factories. The proposal entailed a legally binding contract between suppliers, customers, and unions. At a meeting in 2011 in Dhaka, major European and North American retailers, including H&M, rejected the proposal. Further efforts by unions to advance the proposal after numerous and deadly factory fires have been rejected.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Myanmar

A report by the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) found a significant rise in worker abuse allegations in Myanmar garment factories since the military coup in 2021. H&M is investigating 20 such cases at their suppliers, while a report documented 156 in total over the past year. This has led some fashion brands like Inditex (Zara owner) to cut ties with Myanmar suppliers, while others like H&M and Bestseller are increasing monitoring efforts. The decision to stay or leave is complex, with some arguing continued engagement offers leverage for improvement, while others fear a race to the bottom if major brands exit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Supply chain transparency

The Guardian wrote that in a conscious action sustainability report for 2012, H&M published a list of factories supplying 95% of its garments.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This contributes to the trend of corporations leaning toward ethically transparent supply chains.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Slave and child labour

On 2 January 2013, The Ecologist reported<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> allegations by Anti-Slavery International that H&M was continuing its association with the Uzbek government in exploiting child and adult forced labor as cotton harvesters in Uzbekistan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In September 2020, amid international allegations over the use of Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang, H&M published a statement saying that it had stopped buying cotton from growers in Xinjiang, stating that it was "deeply concerned by reports from civil society organizations and media that include accusations of forced labor and discrimination of ethno-religious minorities".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In February 2017, The Guardian reported children were employed to make H&M products in Myanmar and were paid 13p (about 15 cents US) an hour – half the full legal minimum wage.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Since then, H&M has become a Fair Labour Association (FLA) member and has set a goal to achieve fair living wages throughout its supply chain by 2030.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Factory building structural collapses

Savar building, Bangladesh

In April 2013, the Rana Plaza building collapsed in Bangladesh killing over 1,100 people. Fatalities were mostly garment workers. The incident is considered the deadliest non-deliberate structural failure accident and the deadliest garment factory disaster in modern history. The eight-story building complex that was not designed for factory production and had cracks in the structure that the owners ignored. Approximately 2,500 injured people were rescued from the rubble.

The company and other retailers signed on to the Accord on Factory and Building Safety in Bangladesh. In June 2016, SumOfUs launched a campaign to pressure H&M to honor the commitment they made and signed to protect Bangladesh's garment workers. SumOfUs alleged that "H&M is drastically behind schedule in fixing the safety hazards its workers have to face every day."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

On 19 May 2013, a textile factory that produced apparel for H&M in Phnom Penh, Cambodia collapsed, injuring several people.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The incident has raised concerns regarding industrial safety regulations.

Living wage

Template:Update section On 25 November 2013, H&M's global head of sustainability committed<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> that H&M, as the world's second-largest clothing retailer, would aim to pay all textile workers "living wage" by 2018, stating that governments are responding too slowly to poor working conditions in Bangladesh among other Asian countries where many clothing retailers source a majority if not all of their garments. Wages were increased in Bangladesh from 3,000 takas ($40) to 5,300 takas ($70) a month in late 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Fire safety report

In September 2015, CleanClothes.org, an NGO involved in garment labor working conditions, reported on a lack of specific fire safety renovations in H&M suppliers' factories.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Xinjiang region

In 2020, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute accused 82 major brands, including H&M, of being connected to alleged forced Uyghur labor in Xinjiang.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Specifically the report mentions H&M as a customer of Huafu Top Dyed Melange Yarn Co. Ltd.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> See also: §Boycotts by China. The evidence adduced was that between April 2017 and June 2018 2,048 Uyghur workers were taken "from Hotan Prefecture in Xinjiang to 15 factories in Anhui Province, including [a] Huafu [factory]",<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and that H&M listed Huafu as a supplier.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 16 September 2020, H&M said it was ending its relationship with Huafu.<ref name="ind">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It further stated that it had "never had a business relationship with a mill owned by the yarn producer Huafu Fashion Co in Anhui province where workers from XUAR have been employed".<ref name="ind" />

Controversies

Boycotts by China

In March 2021, after the EU, UK, US, and Canada's joint sanctions against China over reports of human rights abuses in Xinjiang,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> H&M's stance on avoiding forced labor in Xinjiang and claim of not going to use cotton produced there was found and criticized by the Communist Youth League of China on its official Weibo page. Their post stated, "Spreading rumors to boycott Xinjiang cotton, while trying to make a profit in China? Wishful thinking!"

The viral post spread across mainland Chinese social media, leading to H&M facing significant criticism among Chinese social media users.<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 24 March 2021, H&M became the first fashion brand to be targeted in China, with its products removed from Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Pinduoduo, JD.com and Alibaba, its mobile application removed from Chinese app stores, and rideshare platform DiDi blocking customers from requesting H&M stores as their destinations.<ref name=":32">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Two of H&M's brand ambassadors in China, Huang Xuan and Victoria Song, announced they were no longer collaborating with H&M.<ref>Template:Cite periodical</ref><ref name=":4" />

In August 2022, H&M resumed sales in China.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Response

Chinese state media outlet China Global Television Network countered the statements against Xinjiang cotton with a video showing automation in cotton-picking and local Uyghurs claiming that the industry brought high earnings.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite news</ref> On 26 March 2021, the United States condemned the China-backed boycotts, with its Department of Commerce stating that the United States "has taken strong actions to stop China from profiting off of its human-rights abuses in Xinjiang and to stop imports of products made with forced labor in China."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On the same day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying responded by saying that Chinese consumers have the right to express their own choices.<ref>http://hongkongfp.com/2021/03/25/chinese-tv-stars-cut-ties-with-nike-and-hm-faces-boycott-as-xinjiang-forced-labour-backlash-builds/ Template:Bare URL inline</ref>

Later, H&M quietly revised its original wording regarding Xinjiang. On 31 March, H&M responded with a statement vowing to rebuild trust in China and serve its customers in a "respectful way".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, media reports indicated that H&M did not issue a direct apology but instead attempted to “blur the issue.”<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> H&M’s sales in China reportedly fell by approximately 23% during the second quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in the previous year. In the third quarter of 2021 (ending August 31, 2021), sales in the Chinese market declined by approximately 40%.<ref>https://cj.sina.cn/article/norm_detail?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffinance.sina.com.cn%2Fworld%2Fgjcj%2F2021-10-03%2Fdoc-iktzscyx7666746.shtml%3Futm_source%3Dchatgpt.com&from=redirect&autocallup=no&isfromsina=no Template:Bare URL inline</ref>Despite this, the boycott had a far-reaching impact, and the brand’s image remained damaged. <ref>https://news.sina.cn/gn/2021-03-25/detail-ikknscsk1315253.d.html? Template:Bare URL inline</ref>Following this, H&M continued to experience poor performance in the Chinese market, with a reduction in store numbers, declining sales, and a loss of brand influence. As a result, H&M has not released detailed financial reports for the Chinese market since 2021, nor has it separately listed data for the Chinese market in its annual reports.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Greenwashing claims

A proposed class action lawsuit in the US alleged that H&M was greenwashing via the sustainability claims made in its Conscious Choice range. These claims were dismissed. Earlier this year, The Norwegian Consumer Agency (Forbrukertilsynet) said it believed Norrøna is "breaking the law" in marketing clothes as environmentally friendly and issued a warning to H&M GROUP against using the same type of environmental claims.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Leaving Russia

In March 2022, the H&M Group communicated<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> that they would pause their operations in Russia due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Israel

H&M has operated stores in Israel since March 2010 with its first store in Tel Aviv in partnership with local franchisee Match Retail, a division of Union Group.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of December 2023, H&M operates 24 stores in Israel, predominantly around the region of Gush Dan. H&M does not operate any stores in the occupied areas of East Jerusalem or the West Bank.

However, since opening in Israel, the Palestinian branch of BDS has campaigned for boycott of fashion chain, demanding that they pull out of the country.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> H&M's continuing presence in Israel has led to protests in various stores in Europe,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> especially since the invasion of the Gaza Strip.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The company initially closed its stores when the invasion started in October, however the company quietly reopened the stores.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In January 2016, H&M initially put out and later pulled a tallit-like beige and dark blue striped scarf in its Israeli stores, after it was accused of being offensive to Jews.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Clarify

Australia

In January 2024, the company was heavily criticized after its Australian branch released a school uniform advertisement with the slogan "Make those heads turn in H&M’s Back to School fashion".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Melinda Tankard Reist, an Australian writer, questioned the brand's motives, claiming that young girls just want to be left alone and don't want unwelcome attention.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The company removed the advertisement and apologized.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Other controversies

Time	Controversy
6 January 2010	It was reported that unsold or refunded clothing and other items in one New York City H&M store were cut up before being discarded, presumably to prevent resale or use.<ref>Template:Registration required Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Nowrap	H&M was reported to have stolen the work of a UK-based artist, Tori LaConsay, using it on multiple items without compensating her.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
August 2013	H&M withdrew faux-leather headdresses from its Canadian stores after consumers complained the items, part of the company's "summer music festival" collection, were insulting to Canada's Aboriginal peoples.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Nowrap	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> later stating that white models convey a more "positive Image."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
8 January 2018	H&M showcased a black child model wearing a green hoodie reading "Coolest Monkey in the Jungle" on their official United Kingdom website,<ref name="ebony.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> which sparked controversy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was especially so in the United States due to the use of the term "monkey" on a black person.<ref name="ebony.com" /> In response, Canadian and American singers such as The Weeknd and G-Eazy boycotted the company by ending their partnerships with it over the image.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> H&M later released an apology: "This image has now been removed from all H&M channels and we apologise to anyone this may have offended."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> The mother of the model urged people to "stop crying wolf," deeming it "an unnecessary issue."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> After the allegations, H&M stores were vandalized and looted in South Africa. In response, H&M temporarily closed stores there.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
13 July 2019	H&M docked the pay and suspended several unionized staff in three of its stores in New Zealand for wearing 'Living wage' stickers, as part of a wider industrial dispute.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
9 December 2020	Sweden's Equality Ombudsman (DO) started an investigation into H&M following a media report accusing it of racism in Swedish stores.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

• Bonds (clothing)
• European Retail Round Table
• Gap Inc.
• List of companies of Sweden
• Shein
• Zara (retailer)

Further reading

• Myhr, Karin Jansson (2019). Historien om ett företag: H&M. Storytel.
• Stannow, Lena (2021). Min sanning : ... efter alla år med H&M. Ultima Esperanza Books. Template:ISBN.

External links

• Template:Official website
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