H&M apparel

H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) is a world-renowned fast-fashion brand synonymous with trendy and affordable apparel. The brand's journey began in 1947 when Erling Persson opened a women's clothing store called "Hennes" in Västerås, Sweden. In 1968, the purchase of the hunting apparel retailer Mauritz Widforss led to the addition of menswear and the iconic name change to Hennes & Mauritz.

Today, H&M operates as a global retail powerhouse, yet it does not own the factories that produce its goods. Instead, it relies on a vast network of hundreds of independent suppliers located across more than 30 countries. The majority of manufacturing takes place in Asia—specifically in Bangladesh, China, and India—which account for approximately 60% of production. Other significant manufacturing hubs include Turkey, Vietnam, and several European nations like Portugal for premium lines.

The brand is the cornerstone of the H&M Group, which also owns brands like COS, Monki, and Weekday. It is a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange. Despite its public status, ultimate control rests with the founding Persson family, primarily through their investment vehicle, Ramsbury Invest AB. The family maintains a dominant voting power through a dual-class share structure, ensuring the brand's strategic direction remains rooted in its Swedish heritage.