Who Owns H&M?
H&M is owned by H&M Group, a publicly traded Swedish multinational company founded by Erling Persson in 1947. H&M Group trades on Nasdaq Stockholm under ticker HM-B and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.
Parent Company
H&M Group
Founded
1947
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Stockholm, Sweden
Who Owns H&M?
- Parent Company: H&M Group
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: Nasdaq Stockholm: HM-B
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| H&M | H&M Group | Wholly owned |
History of H&M
- Founded: 1947
- Founders: Erling Persson
H&M was founded in 1947 by Erling Persson when he opened his first women's clothing store called "Hennes" (Swedish for "Hers") in Vasteras, Sweden. Persson had been inspired by a trip to the United States, where he observed the success of high-volume, low-price retail concepts. He applied this model to fashion, offering stylish women's clothing at prices significantly below those of traditional Swedish retailers.
The store was an immediate success, and Persson expanded across Sweden throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In 1968, Persson acquired Mauritz Widforss, a hunting and fishing equipment store in Stockholm. The acquisition brought menswear into the company's offerings, and the business was renamed "Hennes & Mauritz," later abbreviated to H&M. This expansion from women's-only to men's and eventually children's clothing broadened the brand's appeal dramatically.
H&M's international expansion began in 1964 with a store in Norway, followed by Denmark and the United Kingdom. The company went public on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1974, providing capital for further growth. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, H&M expanded aggressively across Europe, establishing itself as one of the continent's largest fashion retailers.
The brand's entry into the U.S. market in 2000, with a flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, marked a significant milestone. H&M's combination of trendy designs at affordable prices resonated with American consumers, and the company rapidly expanded across North America. The 2004 collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, creative director of Chanel, pioneered the concept of high-fashion designer collaborations with mass-market retailers. Subsequent collaborations with Versace, Balmain, Stella McCartney, and other luxury designers generated enormous media attention and long queues outside stores.
The Persson family has maintained control of H&M through generations. Stefan Persson, Erling's son, served as chairman for many years, and his son Karl-Johan Persson served as CEO from 2009 to 2020. The family holds approximately 45% of H&M Group shares and over 70% of voting rights through a dual-class share structure.
In recent years, H&M has faced intense competition from ultra-fast-fashion online retailers like Shein and has invested heavily in sustainability initiatives, e-commerce capabilities, and new brand concepts to maintain relevance with younger consumers.
About H&M Group
What does H&M Group own?
H&M Group owns seven retail brands: H&M, the flagship fast-fashion brand operating in more than 75 markets; COS, a premium contemporary brand; Monki, a youth-oriented sustainable fashion brand; Weekday, a denim and streetwear brand; Arket, a premium lifestyle brand; & Other Stories, a women's fashion and beauty brand; and Afound, an outlet retail brand. The group operates more than 4,000 stores worldwide and sells products online in all of its markets.
Is H&M Group publicly traded?
Yes, H&M Group is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under ticker HM-B. The company has been publicly listed since 1974. However, the Persson family holds a controlling interest through a dual-class share structure in which their A-shares carry ten votes per share compared to one vote per share for the publicly traded B-shares. This structure gives the Persson family effective control over the company despite not holding a majority of the economic interest.
Who founded H&M Group?
H&M Group was founded by Erling Persson in 1947 in Vasteras, Sweden. Persson opened the first Hennes store selling women's clothing at affordable prices. In 1968, he acquired Mauritz Widforss, a Stockholm retailer, which led to the company being renamed Hennes & Mauritz and later H&M. Erling Persson's son Stefan Persson joined the company in 1972 and became managing director in 1982, leading the company's international expansion.
Where is H&M Group headquartered?
H&M Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The company's registered office and principal executive offices are located in Stockholm. H&M Group does not own manufacturing facilities and sources its products from a global network of approximately 900 suppliers, primarily in Bangladesh, China, India, Turkey, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
How many brands does H&M Group own?
H&M Group operates seven retail brands: H&M, COS, Monki, Weekday, Arket, & Other Stories, and Afound. The H&M brand is by far the largest, accounting for the substantial majority of group revenue and operating more than 3,000 of the group's approximately 4,000 stores. The other six brands collectively address more specific consumer segments and price points.
Who owns H&M Group?
H&M Group is publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, but the Persson family holds a controlling interest through Ramsbury Invest AB, their holding company. The family's A-share holdings give them effective voting control through the company's dual-class share structure. Stefan Persson, son of founder Erling Persson, is the primary representative of the founding family's interest. Karl-Johan Persson, Stefan's son, serves as chairman of the board.
- Founded: 1947
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: Nasdaq Stockholm: HM-B
Where Is H&M Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
- Manufacturing / Operations: China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Various international locations
H&M Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong global brand recognition and retail presence
- +Established fast-fashion supply chain and design capabilities
- +Multiple brand portfolio serving different market segments
- +Significant investments in sustainability
- +Strong financial position and global distribution
Considerations
- -Intense competition from ultra-fast-fashion online retailers
- -Sustainability challenges in fast-fashion business model
- -Inventory management and overstock issues
- -Changing consumer preferences toward sustainable fashion
- -Currency fluctuations affecting international operations
Frequently Asked Questions About H&M
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
H&M on AmazonCompetitors to H&M
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authentic Brands Group | USA (ABG headquarters) | 1984 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Zara | Spain | 1975 | Mass Market | Europe | All Genders | |
| Gildan Activewear | USA | 1989 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Berkshire Hathaway | USA | 1870 | Luxury | North America | All Genders | |
| Fast Retailing | Japan | 2006 | Mass Market | Asia Pacific | All Genders | |
| Victorias Secret Co | USA | 1977 | Mass Market | North America | Male |
Learn More About Competitors
Forever 21
Owned by Authentic Brands Group
American fast fashion brand owned by Authentic Brands Group; the U.S. retail operating company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025 and closed all 354 U.S. stores.
Zara
Owned by Zara
Spanish clothing retailer known for its fast-fashion business model and ability to quickly respond to changing fashion trends.
American Apparel
Owned by Gildan Activewear
Los Angeles-based clothing retailer known for vertically integrated manufacturing and ethically made basics.
Borsheims Fine Jewelry
Owned by Berkshire Hathaway
American luxury jewelry retailer specializing in fine jewelry and watches, owned by Berkshire Hathaway.
GU
Owned by Fast Retailing
Japanese casual fashion brand offering trendy, affordable clothing for young consumers, owned by Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.
Victoria's Secret
Owned by Victoria's Secret & Co.
American lingerie, clothing, and beauty retailer known for its fashion shows and catalogues, specializing in women's intimate apparel and beauty products.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: H&M competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
H&M Group Stock Information
Jobs at H&M Group
Latest News About H&M
Related Articles About H&M
View more articles
Who Owns Zara, H&M, and Shein? Fast Fashion's Corporate Parents Explained
Fast fashion is a $110 billion industry controlled by a handful of companies. Here is who owns Zara, H&M, Shein, Uniqlo, and every other major fast fashion brand.
Whole Foods vs Trader Joe's: Who Really Owns Them?
Two of America's most beloved grocery chains have very different corporate owners. One belongs to the world's largest e-commerce company, the other to a German discount retailer.
Private Label vs Name Brand: Who Actually Makes Your Store-Brand Products?
That cheaper store brand might be made in the same factory as the name brand next to it. Learn how private-label manufacturing works and who really makes what.
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Fashion & Apparel category and related searches from other users.
Adidas
German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures sports shoes, clothing, and accessories, known for its three-stripe logo.
Alexander McQueen
British luxury fashion house known for haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories, recognized for dramatic design, craftsmanship, and theatrical presentations.
American Apparel
Los Angeles-based clothing retailer known for vertically integrated manufacturing and ethically made basics.