H&M reveals Asia expansion plans

HONG KONG - Swedish high street chain H&M is set to launch in Hong Kong in March, the first step in an Asian expansion plan that will also include new stores in Shanghai and Tokyo.

H&M China press officer Pernilla Halldin confirmed that the store had retained Moxie as its PR agency in the SAR, but declined to provide further details of the store's launch marketing activities.

She did note, however, that H&M would debut the M by Madonna collection to tie in with the Hong Kong store launch, before it appears at any of its other stores across the globe.

“The best location is always the top priority when we open our new stories - we have over 25 years of business relationship with Hong Kong and China in production and merchandising, so we know the market well, and it's very cost effective for us to open shops here,” said Halldin.

In addition, H&M will open two outlets in Shanghai in April this year, before adding one in Tokyo next year.

“We see great opportunity to be in Hong Kong and Shanghai, as it's a fast-growing region with high fashion awareness and great spending power,” added Halldin.