Swedish Expansion

Hennes & Mauritz, a Swedish clothing retailer (referred to as H&M by its customers), was the first retailer to open its doors at the new Harlem Center, a 300,000-square-foot retail and office complex being developed by Forest City Ratner. H&M offers fashionable but value-conscious threads, including faux-shearling jackets and one-shoulder angora sweaters.

According to The New York Times, H&M occupies space in a two-story, 23,000-square-foot building at 125 West 125th St. The space was originally scheduled to house a Gap store, but when the retailer didn't sign a lease, H&M decided to move in.

H&M, which operates 850 stores in 14 countries, has opened 30 stores in New York over the last two years. Kjell Berggren, director of real estate for the company's U.S. operations, said that H&M plans to introduce 15 to 20 new stores a year in the U.S. over the next few years. By the end of this year, the retailer will move in on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia and at Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island, while in 2004, H&M plans to open another New York store on Lexington Avenue.