H&M

H&M is a global fashion retailer known for offering a wide range of clothing and accessories at accessible prices. The company was founded in 1947 by Erling Persson in Västerås, Sweden, originally as a women’s clothing store called Hennes. A pivotal moment in its history came in 1968, when H&M acquired Mauritz Widforss, adding menswear to its assortment and adopting the name Hennes & Mauritz. From these beginnings, H&M has grown into one of the world’s most recognized apparel brands.

As of October 2024, H&M operates 4,338 stores across more than 70 countries, all of which are corporate-owned. The company has steadily expanded its footprint, with a particular emphasis in recent years on flagship locations in major urban centers and new markets in Asia and North America. Over the past five years, H&M has invested significantly in digital integration and sustainability initiatives, updating its stores to feature experiential elements and eco-friendly design. These efforts are supported by ongoing capital investment and a strong pipeline of new stores and concepts.

H&M’s approach to retail includes a mix of large-format flagships and specialty concepts, such as H&M Home, which extends the brand into home furnishings. The company’s continued growth in priority markets like Asia, North America, Europe, and the Middle East, combined with its focus on both physical and digital retail, positions it as a stable and adaptable tenant for a variety of commercial real estate environments. H&M’s corporate structure ensures direct engagement with landlords and developers, and its reputation for innovation and scale brings credibility to new and established retail projects alike.