Is H&M Fast Fashion? A Deeper Look At One of the Most Famous Global Fashion Stores
Is H&M Fast Fashion?
H&M is a prominent Swedish fast fashion retailer that has faced substantial controversy over the years. The brand is widely recognized globally and has a significant presence in bustling cities around the world. It is among one of the first fast fashion brands to exist. Following the tragic Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh in 2013, which resulted in the loss of over 1,100 lives, H&M has been under intense scrutiny regarding the improvement of working conditions for the individuals involved in their supply chain.
What is H&M?
H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) is a multinational fast fashion clothing company headquartered in Sweden. Its rich history dates back to 1947, when Erling Persson founded the company under the name Hennes. Today, they have a strong presence in 75 geographical markets, operating over 4,800 stores. Notably, H&M is the second-largest international clothing retailer, just behind Inditex (owner of Zara and many other fast fashion brands). The brand focuses on women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, as well as, home goods, beauty and sportswear.
Why We Avoid H&M
Unlivable Wages & Unsafe Working Conditions
In 2018, H&M, despite its public commitments, failed to uphold fair labor practices, resulting in 850,000 garment workers being denied a living wage. The company also faced severe criticism for overlooking the harsh working conditions that led to the tragic deaths of over 100 individuals. Moreover, the brand was accused of neglecting the physical and sexual abuse suffered by many female workers. While in 2022, H&M took a step forward by pledging to address and prevent shop floor sexual violence in India, there's still a pressing need for similar protective measures in other countries. Notably, from February 2022 to February 2023, a human rights advocacy group based in the UK documented a significant increase in reported cases of worker abuse in Myanmar garment factories, with 156 instances observed, compared to 56 in the previous year.
Environmental Concerns
H&M has made some efforts to incorporate more environmentally-conscious fabrics into their production, but they still contribute significantly to clothing waste. The excessive production of clothing results in a substantial amount of items ending up in landfills. Additionally, H&M's use of synthetic fabrics, which are derived from petroleum and essentially made of plastic, poses a significant threat to the environment. The production process of these fabrics negatively impacts the environment, and their decomposition can take hundreds of years. The brand has made great progress in eliminating harmful chemicals, like PFCs, phthalates, and APs/APEOs from its products. It also has a textile recycling program, but only 35% of clothing gets recycled. The brand should do better to mitigate its environmental impact and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Maybe H&M should start by donating its unsold clothes instead of burning them?
Customer Service Complaints
H&M currently holds many F ratings with the Better Business Bureau. Upon reviewing customer complaints, it becomes evident that there are a multitude of issues ranging from difficulties with returns to terrible in-store customer service.
Pushes Consumerism
H&M’s business model involves continuously shipping new clothing to stores and launching new styles, which contributes to promoting the over-consumption of clothing.
Design Theft
H&M has been accused of stealing designs from independent artists. This type of behavior is not uncommon for fast fashion brands.
What is Fast Fashion?
Fast fashion is a term used to describe the production of large quantities of clothing throughout the year, often characterized by rapid turnover of styles and designs. These brands have streamlined their manufacturing processes to produce clothes at significantly lower costs, making it possible for consumers to frequently update their wardrobes without breaking the bank.
The excessive consumption of low-quality, mass-produced clothing is contributing to a significant increase in textile waste, environmental pollution, and the depletion of natural resources. This has given rise to pressing social concerns, including human rights violations that cannot be overlooked.
As responsible consumers, it is imperative for us to reconsider our support for this industry. We should actively refrain from patronizing fast fashion brands and instead, shift our focus towards supporting sustainable clothing brands, embracing secondhand shopping, and cultivating a mindset of appreciating and making the most of what we already own.
Are you curious about the impact of Fast Fashion Brands and the reasons why it's important to avoid them? If so, CLICK HERE to delve deeper into this important topic
At the same time, we strongly encourage you to cherish and maintain the items you already own. However, if you are considering purchasing something new, we recommend exploring our list of approved brands here.
We want to acknowledge that our message is not directed at low-income shoppers who may find it challenging to afford sustainable clothing and are left with no other option but to purchase from fast fashion brands. However, it is important to recognize that the existence of these fast fashion brands is fueled by excessive consumerism. The issue lies in the quantity of clothing that we, as consumers, purchase. Many of us have more than we actually need.