Hennes et Mauritz

H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (better known under the name H & M) is a large chain of clothing stores that offer cheap clothes trendy for men, women and children. It is similar in some aspects of chains such as Zara and Bershka. H & M has become a benchmark of popular fashion affordable. The company distinguishes itself from its direct competitors by offering temporary collections created in collaboration with designers (Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf, Roberto Cavalli, etc.. ) or stars (Madonna, Kylie Minogue, etc.. )

In the 1940s, Erling Persson, a young Swede, went to seek inspiration in the United States. He came back with the certainty of having found a new idea: selling women's fashion and quality at unbeatable prices.

In 1947, he opened the first store Hennes (; to them (feminin way);, in Swedish) in his hometown of Vasteras, Sweden. In 1968, the stores acquired Mauritz Widforss marks the beginning of the chain Hennes & Mauritz for women and men. Then in the 1970s, a department Children and Youth was born.

In 1990, Stefan Persson, Erling's son, became CEO and Chairman of the Board in 1998.

On February 25, 1998, H & M opens its first store in France, rue de Rivoli in Paris. Today there are over 130 shops H & M opened in France.

In 2010, H & M has expanded considerably and has over 2, 200 outlets in 38 countries and employs more than 70, 000 employees. The company, whose growth is very fast, has plans to double its number of outlets from 2007 to 2013, that is to say to around 4000 stores.