Sweden: Latest apparel and textile news & analysis

What Arket reveals about H&M's new direction 21 Jun 2017

H&M’s new Arket concept is quite unlike anything previously seen from the retailer. Rather than adopt a faster sourcing strategy, the company has opted to introduce a new brand to cater to shifts in consumer behaviour and progress towards a more sustainable business model. Bernadette Kissane, senior analyst for apparel and footwear at Euromonitor International, takes a closer look.

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What's the difference between compliance and safety? 26 May 2016

Swedish fashion retailer H&M is one of the leaders of the move to change compliance, and is at the forefront of sustainability. However, at the same time H&M appears to show no interest in the safety of workers making its products, write Emma Birnbaum and David Birnbaum. What is the difference between compliance and worker safety? they ask.

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H&M sustainability goals include water-based PU shoes 15 Apr 2016

Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) is to place its first volume orders for shoes made with water-based vegan leather this year as part of new sustainability goals set out by the Swedish fashion retailer.

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IN THE MONEY: H&M faces margin pressure on dollar impact 26 Jun 2015

H&M Hennes & Mauritz will likely suffer gross margin pressure in the near-term, analysts believe, as the negative impact from the strong US dollar is compounded by increased purchasing costs and increasing wages.

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SUSTAINABILITY: H&M adds transparency to yarn and fabric suppliers 10 Apr 2015

The latest sustainability efforts from fashion retailer H&M Hennes & Mauritz include adding fabric and yarn mills to its publicly published supplier factory list, and further progress in its work towards fair living wages - although criticism suggests this is not progressing fast enough for some.

H&M shares down despite Q1 sales hike 15 Mar 2019

Shares in H&M were down by almost 4% this morning (15 March) despite the Swedish fast fashion retailer reporting a double-digit rise in first-quarter sales.

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Tiger of Sweden CEO resigns 19 Feb 2019

Danish fashion firm IC Group has announced Hans-Christian Meyer has resigned as CEO of its Tiger of Sweden menswear brand, after less than two years in the role.

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New Polygiene Odor Crunch tackles everyday smells 1 Feb 2019

The latest offering from Swedish odour control specialist Polygiene is a new combination technology said to eliminate the problem of clothes picking up external, everyday odours – smells like cooking fumes, cigarette smoke, musty damp mould, and pollution. 

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H&M optimistic despite Q4 and FY profit tumble 31 Jan 2019

H&M has offered an optimistic outlook on the year ahead, with CEO Karl-Johan Persson confident the fast fashion retailer is on the "right track" despite a fall in profit for both the fourth quarter and full year. 

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Zero Cotton jeans made with 100% renewable fibres 30 Jan 2019

Sustainable denim brand reDEW8 Jeans has developed a new line of jeans using 100% renewable wood fibres.

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ILO and H&M Group expand supply chain partnership 25 Jan 2019

A partnership between Swedish apparel retailer H&M and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to improve working conditions and productivity in textile and garment industry supply chains, is to be expanded.

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H&M and Ikea ramp up sustainable fibre initiative 21 Dec 2018

A Swedish partnership aiming to develop new sustainable and low-cost cellulosic fibres is moving closer to industrialising its production process by setting up a large-scale demonstration plant.

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H&M sees FY sales rise but recovery doubts hit shares 17 Dec 2018

H&M has posted a 5% increase in full-year sales to SEK244.3bn – but shares tumbled by 7% in morning trade to SEK145.14 per share amid concerns over the retailer's recovery.

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H&M presents progress on fair living wage strategy 11 Dec 2018

Swedish apparel retailer H&M has hosted a Fair Living Wage Summit in Cambodia to update brands, academics, trade unions and representatives on its progress towards achieving fair living wages for workers in global supply chains.

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New project to improve work in Asia garment supply chains 7 Dec 2018

A new project is about to get off the ground to promote decent work in Asian garment supply chains.

H&M leads on sustainable fashion 17 Apr 2015

H&M's new Conscious Exclusive collection, which launched this week, proves that high street fashion can be sustainable. And as the line gains momentum it’s using more diverse materials, including recycled beads, fabrics such as hemp, organic linen, and organic leather.