Mikia Rose, Patrick Henry Mall’s marketing director, said, “H&M is an exciting addition to Patrick Henry Mall. It complements our current stores by offering additional fashion options at a great price point. They carry apparel and accessories for the whole family, which enhances the shopping experience for our community.”
The retailer already has a Hampton store at the Peninsula Town Center. That store will add 30 employees in Newport News. The upcoming store is part of H&M’s intent to add another 425 stores to its locations this year in both existing and new markets.
The retailer already has 13 stores in Virginia, an additional 443 locations across the country and over 4,000 locations around the globe. In addition to the new store, other changes at Patrick Henry Mall include a relocation of Victoria’s Secret, a Pink store front and a new Bath & Body Works. Managing director Ross says a White Barn Candle is under construction, as well as a Journey’s Kidz shoe store.
H&M – or Henness & Mauritz AB – is a major clothing retailer for men, women and children. With an eye on teenagers and millennials, the company brings the latest and most affordable in sustainable fashion to all budgets in a conscious and exciting way.
H&M is a Swedish multinational company operating out of 62 countries. Its founder, Erling Persson, wanted to bring attractive pricing and fashionable clothing to the general public. In 1947, H&M opened its first store in Västerås. The shop was “Hennes.” Selling only women’s clothes, in Swedish, it meant “hers.” A little over 20 years later, Hennes acquired Mauritz Widforss. This store sold hunting apparel which included a menswear collection. This led to the name change to Hennes & Mauritz. For international recognition, that would be shortened to H&M.
By the end of 2011, there were almost 2,500 stores. The second largest global clothier, H&M celebrated its 3,000 store in 2013. This encompassed stores in pretty much every part of the world, including Turkey, Malaysia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon. H&M has exclusive collections by Karl Lagerfeld, the first of which sold out within an hour. The retailer has also collaborated on collections by Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf, and Madonna. Despite its reputation for high fashion, the company has also played with pop culture, releasing H&M Fashion Stuff based on the The Sims 2 video game.
With its new store in the Patrick Henry Mall, H&M continues its brand of bringing innovative fashion to every community it can reach. The launch is expected on October 27.
