H&M was founded in Sweden in 1947.
Its story began when Erling Persson opened a women’s clothing store called Hennes in Västerås. The Swedish name means “hers,” reflecting the shop’s original focus on womenswear. The business grew from that single store into an international fashion retailer.
H&M did not initially stand for the full name used today. In 1968, Persson acquired the Stockholm hunting-and-fishing retailer Mauritz Widforss, including its men’s clothing stock. Hennes then became Hennes & Mauritz, later shortened to H&M, and the company began selling menswear and children’s clothing as well.
The 1947 date therefore refers to the founding of the business that became H&M, even though the H&M name arrived later. It is also distinct from Zara, Uniqlo, and Gap, which are separate retailers with different founders and histories.