Swedish fast fashion giant H&M has said that it will reopen most of its stores in Ukraine beginning in November.

H&M Group temporarily closed its stores in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 following the start of Russia’s illegal invasion of the country.

In a statement published online, H&M said that it “has been in close dialogue with partners and authorities and is now planning to gradually reopen most of its stores in the country from November 2023”.

The company operated eight stores in Ukraine as of November 2021.

It added: “As H&M Group continues to monitor developments in the country, preparations are being made to reopen the majority of the H&M stores where possible. The safety of colleagues and customers will always be the first and foremost priority.”

The company said that it is "in contact with local stakeholders in terms of how to best support the country and local communities as they look to rebuild" and that it will partner with organisations on the ground and engage in relief and rebuilding programmes.

Elsewhere, H&M has said that it will phase out sourcing from suppliers in Myanmar after it emerged that it was investigating more than a dozen alleged instances of labour abuse at Myanmar garment factories that supplied it.

Share Story: