H & M

History

The company initially started off with the name “Hennes” (Swedish for 'Hers' ) in 1946, selling exclusive women’s apparel and accessories. Twenty-one years after its establishment, in 1968 Hennes took over another hunting apparel retailer, Mauritz Widforss, and that’s when the name was changed to "Hennes & Mauritz" (H&M). This change included the inclusion of men's clothing in his company as well.

H & M have always kept up the goodwill and reputation by constantly pooling in new and in-craze designers from across the world to work for them. This had consistently proven out to be the success formula for them which never let their sales or trust diminish.

Profile

In the year 2010, they were named the 21st best brand (across all companies worldwide and not just clothing retailer), as per the report by a branding consultancy “Interbrand”, stating estimate of about $15 billion. They ventured into home furnishing by the end of 2009 but only took the e-commerce route to start with. 

H&M was tangled in a few dissensions like stealing the works of other artists without any compensations given to them.  They were soon altered by a company acting in favor of petitioners and doing the needful. The company has always had a keen interest in philanthropy and nature-friendly works. 

CEO

Daniel Ervér, born in 1981, is a seasoned executive within the H&M Group, a leading Swedish fashion retailer. He was appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of H&M Group on January 31, 2024, succeeding Helena Helmersson, who stepped down after a 26-year tenure with the company, including four years as CEO.

Career at H&M: Ervér's journey with H&M began in 2005 as a summer trainee. Over the years, he has held various significant roles within the company:

• Controller (2006): Shortly after his traineeship, Ervér became a controller, focusing on financial oversight and management.

• Merchandising Responsibilities: He managed merchandising operations in key markets, including Germany and the United States, ensuring product offerings met market demands.

• Country Manager for H&M Sweden: In this role, Ervér oversaw the company's operations within Sweden, focusing on market strategies and performance.

• Purchasing Manager: He was responsible for procurement strategies, ensuring the alignment of purchasing decisions with the company's goals.

• Head of H&M Women and Men: Ervér led the product lines for both women's and men's apparel, focusing on product development and market positioning.

• Head of H&M Brand: Prior to his CEO appointment, he served as the head of the H&M brand, the largest within the group, for four years.

CEO Appointment: On January 31, 2024, Ervér was appointed as the CEO of H&M Group. In this capacity, he continues to oversee the H&M brand, with no successor appointed for his previous role. His extensive experience within the company positions him to lead H&M through evolving market dynamics and competitive challenges.

Leadership Vision: Upon his appointment, Ervér expressed his commitment to delivering exceptional value to customers and driving profitable growth. He emphasized the importance of offering a compelling combination of fashion, quality, price, and sustainability within an inspiring shopping environment.

Facts About H & M

Keeping in mind customers’ growing awareness, the company aimed at being the most sustainable option. Factors that separated them from rest of the players was their keenness in the responsible utilization of natural resources, reducing the consumptions of electricity in the stores, offering garment recycling across the globe etc.

Not easily satisfied with delivering quality products to the customers for more than six decades, H&M always kept expanding the business in the form of increasing number of stores. The sales in each store and also the number of their operating countries grew exponentially.

This expansion has been possible only because H&M always offers a wide and varied range of inspiring fashion, from the latest trends to sustainable classics to wear season after season. All this is complemented by various independent brands with their own identities.

Headquarters

The headquarters of the company is in Stockholm, Sweden, with their shops in over sixty-one countries. They recently opened their 3000th store in China.

Collaborations with Famous Designers