Swedish department store chain H&M, one of the global giants in the world of fast fashion, has confirmed a major reduction in its network of physical stores. The company plans Closing more than 200 stores during 2025This is a decision that will mainly affect the single markets and will also lead to the termination of the personal operations of Monki, one of the group’s brands. Some branches will be converted under the Weekday brand, while the rest will be closed permanently.
This news comes in an adverse context for the rapidly producing textile industry, according to the media. street. Although consumers are looking for affordable prices, major brands are going through a scenario of questions about the environmental impact of the mass consumption model.
Specialists consulted by organizations dedicated to environmental monitoring warn that sustainability is linked to working conditions. “It is not possible to talk about sustainability when the industry does not take into account the fair treatment of peoplesaid Simone Cipriani, UN representative and founder of the Ethical Fashion Initiative.
Other experts suggest reducing consumption as an alternative that has economic and social benefits. Less impulsive buying benefits both the wallet, the environment and the production chain, said The True Cost director, Andrew Morgan.
H&M has attempted to respond to these criticisms and in its latest six-month financial report highlighted progress on environmental issues. Additionally, he cited the Stand.earth rating that placed the company in the rankings First place among 42 companies in this sector By reducing climate impact. However, he acknowledged that he is operating under strong economic pressure. “In uncertain times and with cautious consumers, we are adapting the offer and adjusting the business to respond in the best way possible,” the company said.
The transformation is aimed directly at its business structure. according to streetThe group explained that it can renegotiate or abandon a third of its leases annually, making it easier to redesign the physical presence in each market.
However, the 2025 plan represents a deeper transformation: the opening of approximately 80 new stores, most of them in emerging markets, and More than 200 stores closedwith greater influence in consolidated areas. It seems that Monkey’s branches are the most affected, and a large part of them will disappear from the commercial map.
H&M has already closed 135 stores in the past nine monthsAccording to market data. Most of these losses were concentrated in Asia, Oceania and Africa, although the closure of 21 stores was also recorded in Western Europe. In the US, two locations in Manhattan – located on East 86th Street and Church Street – will cease operations before January 2026.
With declining sales and global pressure for a more responsible model, H&M is embarking on a structural redesign that is changing its physical presence, redefining its brand portfolio and seeking to sustain itself in a market that seems to require less volume and more environmental commitment.