Swedish giant H&M opens in style in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a shopping frenzy when 1,500 H&M fans and enthusiasts lined up for over eight hours outside the Malaysian flagship store at Lot 10, Bukit Bintang, hoping to be its first customers. The Swedish fashion retailer opened its doors at 11am yesterday.

The lucky first customer in line, Michelle Tan, was rewarded with a RM500 voucher, while the second to fifth people in line won RM200. The next 300 customers received a RM50 voucher each.

The exuberant crowd was welcomed by H&M chief executive officer Karl-Johan Persson, who led the red ribbon cutting ceremony with Lex Keijser, country manager for H&M China, Singapore and Malaysia and Sin Gin, H&M store manager for Lot 10.

Fashionably early: Thousands crowding outside the newly-opened H&M store at Lot 10, Bukit Bintang.

“We have had an amazing response from our customers here in Kuala Lumpur and look forward to bringing Malaysians fashion and quality at the best price,” said Keijser. “We are also excited to finally be expanding our business concept here within South-East Asia and hope to grow our following in this.” H&M at Lot 10 offers a range of fashion and accessories for women, men, teenagers and children.

The Autumn Winter 2012 season showcases sleek and sculptural silhouettes matched with bold shapes and confident decoration for women, while men can look forward to sharp-suited 60s silhouettes played up with layering and texture. Prices start from RM19.90 for a T-shirt.

Following yesterday's opening, H&M plans to continue its expansion here with a second store at Setia City Mall in Shah Alam on Oct 3. At the pre-launch party on Thursday, prominent figures in Malaysia's fashion and entertainment industry were invited. Some of the guests included newly-wed actors Awal Ashaari and Scha Al-Yahya and singer Yuna Zarai.

-thestar online.