H&M: Budget Luxe For over 60 Years

Did you know that H&M is listed on the Stockolm Stock Exchange?  Listed under the symbol HMB (HMB.ST if you’re looking for it on Google or Yahoo Finance), the store has been around for over 60 years.  Known for their budget-luxe, runway-inspired looks and annual designer collaborations, many shoppers are looking forward to the launch of Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garcons (CDG) line on Thursday, November 13.

When the store first opened in 1947, it sold only women’s clothing.  Some 20 years later, it merged with another brand, forming Hennes and Marauitz, later abbreviated to H&M.  Today, the brand is found all over the world, including the UK, United States and Canada and sells clothes at affordable prices for men, women and children.  This year, H&M opened its first stores in Tokyo, just in time for the CDG launch.  Some shoppers camped outside of the store for days before, hoping to be the first ones to get their hands on these pieces.

H&M’s designer collaborations, particularly those launching in November are very popular.  They are not available in every single store, just select stores in larger markets.  For example, although there are nine stores in the Toronto area, only two are carrying the CDG line.  Only one in Montreal (out of 10 stores) will have it.  In New York, four out of the nine stores will be carrying the line.  In addition to their annual designer collaborations, H&M has also worked with celebrities, including Madonna and Kylie Minogue, who have lent their names to lines as well.

Of course, not everyone is a fan of H&M.  Some find that the clothes, especially in the regular line are poorly-made.  At the same time, many of H&M’s pieces are considered so trendy that one can’t wear it past a season, two at most.  Most of H&M’s pieces are not what one calls, “classics.”  H&M did, however, get a boost during the US elections, when Michelle Obama wore a dress from the store while campaigning with her husband.

On Tuesday, November 11, H&M opened at 277 and closed at 264.50.  Its 52-week range is 239.50 – 416.00.

DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this column is not to give financial advice or analysis, but to highlight how these companies affect our every day lives.