The Buzz: H&M is known for fast fashion, recycling and clothing for the entire family – Appleton Post Crescent

H&M, one of the world’s largest clothing retailers, will open its new store Thursday, Sept. 26, in the Fox River Mall.

After department store anchors, it will be the mall’s largest store at 20,000 square feet. It takes up a big chunk of real estate between Target and the former Sears.

H&M spent more than $1.2 million to build the store, according to town construction permits.

H&M, which stands for Hennes & Mauritz, sells its own “something for everyone” brand of budget-minded clothing for men, women, teens, children and infants. It was founded in Sweden in 1947 on the idea of making fashion available and affordable.

H&M is currently opening stores while other retailers are closing branches.

“We believe in our brick-and-mortar stores. We believe in a mix with our e-commerce site, which is also growing,” said spokesman Patrick Shaner. “It gives customers the option to shop online or come into a store to see the clothes in person.”

A new study by consulting firm A.T. Kearney says a majority of Gen Z consumers, ages 14 to 24, prefer to shop in stores partly because it allows them to disconnect from social media. 

H&M now has 552 U.S. stores and nearly 5,000 worldwide. This sixth Wisconsin store is the first north of Milwaukee.

Inexpensive, disposable “fast fashion” has been criticized for its wastefulness and environmental impact.

To counter that, H&M now makes 57 percent of its new clothing from sustainable or recycled materials, Shaner said.

Plus, it runs a garment recycling program. When consumers bring in used clothing or textiles for recycling, they get 15 percent off purchases. 

“We work with a third party to give those garments a second life so they’re not going to landfill. They’re being reworn in some way or remade into car seats or insulation or broken down to be made into new fabric,” he said. 

The store opens at noon Thursday. The first 100 in line will get $10 to $500 scratch-off gift cards. Those who bring items for recycling before noon are also entered to win $50 to $250 gift cards.

Have a business question? Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @wallenfang.

More: The Buzz: Family icon Chuck E. Cheese to redo look, menu, tokens

More: Buzz Mailbag: Turning the tables on reader questions

Let’s block ads! (Why?)