H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) is a Swedish multinational clothing retail company known for its fast-fashion clothing for men, women, children, and teenagers. H&M stands for Hennes & Mauritz, a multinational clothing company based in Sweden. It was founded in 1947 by Erling Persson, who opened his first store in Västerås, Sweden, selling women’s clothing. The store was called Hennes, which means “hers” in Swedish.
In 1968, Persson acquired the hunting apparel retailer Mauritz Widforss in Stockholm, and the name of the company was changed to Hennes & Mauritz to reflect the expanded product range. The company began selling men’s clothing in 1968 and children’s clothing in 1973.
H&M quickly expanded beyond Scandinavia, opening its first store outside the region in London in 1976. Today, H&M has over 4,800 stores in 75 countries around the world. It is the second-largest international clothing retailer after Inditex.
The story behind H&M is one of success and innovation. Persson was a visionary leader who saw the potential for affordable fashion that was also fashionable. He pioneered the fast-fashion business model, which allows H&M to quickly bring new trends to market at low prices.
H&M has also been a leader in sustainability initiatives. In recent years, the company has made a commitment to using more sustainable materials and reducing its environmental impact.
H&M is a popular brand among consumers around the world because it offers stylish and affordable clothing for the entire family. The company is also known for its commitment to sustainability.
H&M’s history and Key Milestones
- 1947: Erling Persson opens the first Hennes store in Västerås, Sweden.
- 1964: Hennes opens its first store outside Scandinavia in Norway.
- 1968: Hennes acquires Mauritz Widforss and changes its name to Hennes & Mauritz.
- 1974: H&M is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
- 1976: H&M opens its first store outside Scandinavia in London.
- 2000: H&M opens stores in the US and Spain.
- 2017: H&M commits to using more sustainable materials and reducing its environmental impact.
