Sweden. H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB
| Date of agreement: | 03 Dec 2018 |
|---|---|
| Country: | Sweden |
| Customer: | H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB |
| Amount in EUR: | EUR 200 million |
| Maturity: | 5 years |
| NACE sector / loan type: | Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
Project
The loan is provided to support H&M’s digitalisation development areas in 2018 and 2019.
The global fashion retail market is in transformation driven by technological advancements and changing customer behaviour. This reflects for example in an increased demand for personalisation, sustainability and the ability to shop anytime, anywhere. Furthermore, the competitive landscape is changing rapidly through online platforms, small niche online players and new business models. During the past ten years, H&M has already invested a lot into its online business and digital infrastructure. In 2018 and going forward, the company will continue its investments within its digitalisation development areas in order to offer customers a seamless and integrated shopping experience.
The focus within the digitalisation development areas, will among other things be advanced analytics and the use of artificial intelligence, a faster and more flexible supply chain as well as further development of the customer experience in H&M’s online store and increased digitalisation of its physical retail stores.
The H&M group includes nine clearly defined brands, which globally offer clothes, accessories, footwear and cosmetics for women, men, teenagers and children. The group has approximately 4,900 stores in 71 countries worldwide – complemented by a fast-growing online store presence in 47 countries so far.
Fulfilment of NIB's mandate
H&M’s further investments in its digital development areas will bring significant gains to H&M, making it able to continue to adapt to rapidly changing customer behaviours and needs. Being Sweden’s fourth largest company measured by annual sales with major central activities located in Stockholm, it is likely that the investments will further strengthen H&M’s large economic footprint in Sweden. Additionally, the project requires investments in skills that are new to the company, so it is likely that the project will employ people in both Sweden and other countries. Today, H&M directly employs more than 10,000 people in Sweden and approximately 16,000 in all of the Nordics and Baltics.
Sustainability summary
No environmental concerns connected to this project have been identified.