H&M courts the premium market with Galeries Lafayette debut
H&M is pushing further into premium retail territory with the opening of a new shop-in-shop at Paris' Galeries Lafayette, one of Europe's most symbolic department stores. The 63-square-metre corner features the brand's 'Adorable' childrenswear line, a follow-up to its 2024 launch at Selfridges in London. Targeting more affluent consumers, the collection boasts organic cotton, wool and silk garments marketed as heirloom-quality essentials, distinct from H&M's core fast-fashion identity. The Paris location marks the Swedish group's first in-store foray of this kind in France, signalling an evolution in merchandising strategy aimed at bridging the gap between fast fashion and aspirational retail.
Yet this shift raises broader questions about the credibility of high-street brands positioning themselves as luxury-adjacent. H&M's manoeuvre mirrors a pattern seen across the sector, with Inditex's Zara rolling out 'limited edition' pieces and elevated campaign imagery, and Mango expanding aggressively into the U.S. with its 'premium' lines. But the optics of luxury cannot conceal the systemic issues that persist beneath the surface, chiefly, overproduction, waste, and environmental degradation.
A 2023 report by Changing Markets Foundation found that fast fashion brands frequently fail to align marketing with sustainability performance, often exaggerating durability claims. While H&M's move may succeed in attracting a higher-spending clientele, true premium status is about more than satin finishes and retail real estate; it demands a structural overhaul of supply chains, materials sourcing, and pricing logic, none of which can be solely achieved through marketing or a chichi retail portfolio.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
When will London Oxford Street be pedestrianised?
Banning cars on Oxford Street has been in the pipeline for years – but what is happening with the plan now, and how popular is it? London Oxford Street, which attracts around half a million shoppers each day, will be turned into a European-style promenade without traffic. The £150,000,000 pedestrianisation project is being pushed by the London Mayor Sadiq Khan and local business leaders to restore the famous shopping spot to its 'former glory.' Oxford Street has been blighted by US-style sweet shops in recent years, which sell candy and souvenirs, mainly catering to tourists. Police seized £80,000 worth of fake goods from one candy store, including sweets with banned ingredients. People told Metro previously that they were not fully convinced the pedestrianisation plan will ever happen or whether they would back it. But a new consultation reveals that a majority of Londoners support the pedestrianisation and revamp of Oxford Street. The consultation, carried out by the Greater London Authority between February and May of 6,642 people, shows that two-thirds of Londoners support the pedestrianisation idea, the City Hall says. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Meanwhile, seven out of ten Londoners support the wider regeneration of Oxford Street. Selfridges, John Lewis and IKEA have reportedly welcomed the plans, which will transform the street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. More detailed proposals on what the new road will look like are expected within the next couple of months, Metro understands. The pedestrianised zone would also host cultural events and activities as a public space. The mayor said: 'Oxford Street has suffered over many years so urgent action is needed to give our nation's high street a new lease of life. 'It's clear that the vast majority of Londoners and major businesses back our exciting plans, so I'm pleased to confirm that we will now be moving ahead as quickly as possible. 'We want to rejuvenate Oxford Street; establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and outdoor events with a world-class, accessible, pedestrianised avenue. 67% of Londoners support the pedestrianisation, the poll shows. The IKEA CEO Peter Jekelby has thrown his support behind the plan, describing it as a 'positive step,' which will create 'a more welcoming and accessible space.' Selfridges' executive director, Meave Wall, said the pedestrianisation plan will shape 'a brighter future for this iconic shopping and entertainment hub.' 'Selfridges has thrived on Oxford Street for well over 100 years and we're hugely energised by the renewed commitment to make this area more enticing and attractive for locals and visitors from around the world,' she said. John Lewis's managing director, Peter Ruis, said: 'We continue to invest significantly in our Oxford Street store – including a new beauty hall, a Waterstones bookshop and the new Jamie Oliver Cookery School – and believe pedestrianisation will create a vibrant, thriving shopping environment enhancing the area's appeal as a top retail destination.' New West End Company, which represents more than 600 businesses in the West End, said Oxford Street alone generates 5% of London's annual economic activity. The group's CEO Dee Corsi said: 'A comprehensive and considered transformation of Oxford Street – delivered in partnership with local businesses and communities – will enhance the area, bringing significant economic benefits to Londoners and the wider UK economy.' 'This will help to attract more international visitors, and act as a magnet for new investment and job creation, driving growth and economic prosperity for decades to come. 'Our plans are not only about creating a beautiful public space where people can shop, eat and connect – but transforming Oxford Street into a place Londoners and the whole of the country can be proud of, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.' More Trending Angela Rayner, the deputy Prime Minister, said the government supports the plan to 'help breathe new life into Oxford Street.' 'We want to see Oxford Street become the thriving place to be for tourists and Londoners alike, and that's why we welcome the Mayor of London's bold proposals to achieve that,' she said. However, traffic will not be banned overnight as the proposal still has to jump through red tape and legal hoops. This includes establishing a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which will be tasked with the revamp. The corporation is set to be up and running by January. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 'People will miss flights from Stansted' after overturned lorry shuts down M11 MORE: Could flight prices go up after Air India crash and Middle East escalation? MORE: Map shows how hot it has to get before it is officially a heatwave in the UK
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
IKEA is shutting two UK stores today just weeks after opening massive new Oxford Street shop – is your local affected?
IKEA has shut two UK stores today just weeks after opening a massive new Oxford Street shop. The retail giant, founded in Sweden in 1943, announced its plans to close the Aintree Plan and Order Point store in Liverpool earlier this month. 1 Ikea has closed two stores today (stock) Credit: Getty The smaller Plan & Order Point store provided customers with home furnishing guidance and was devoted to kitchen and bedroom planning. The Aintree store closed its doors for the final time today. According to Ikea, the closure was "a result of valuable learnings which will take the conceptual format in a direction to better suit the needs of UK customers." IKEA Stockport in Merseyway Shopping Centre, which opened just two years ago has also ceased operations today. Current Stockport customers are now being directed to the next nearest main IKEA store, the branch in Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside. Locals can also now pick up their IKEA purchases from Tesco Extra in Stockport and the Tesco Extra in Stretford as part of Click and Collect. Other Plan and Order points, such as the ones in Dundee, York and Hull, will be adapted to meet those new demands and also include a small range of home furnishing accessories to buy. A spokesperson for Ikea said: 'There has been an increased demand for Click and Collect services, a desire to shop a smaller selection of home furnishing accessories, as well as the ability to return goods to physical IKEA units, something which, owing to the space available, the current location is unable to offer. 'To better service its customers, future Plan and Order Point openings, including in Dundee, Hull and York will offer these services. I did a haul of the new Oxford Street Ikea whilst on my lunch break & I managed to kit out with bargains under £3 "IKEA also remains committed to trialling new formats including its upcoming small stores, one of which will open in Chester later this year.' The Swedish retailer had 22 stores across the UK after opening its first branch in Warrington, Cheshire in 1987. IKEA recently opened a new shop on London's Oxford Street. It's set over three floors and 5,400 square metres compared with the average size of 30,000 square meters for most of IKEA's locations. You'll be pleased to know that along with the Swedish meatballs, the bargain hot dogs, fish and chips, and Daim cake are all still on the menu. A plate of eight meatballs served with mashed potatoes, peas, cream sauce and lingonberry jam costs its usual bargain price of £5.50. It comes after IKEA opened its own hotel in the Canary Islands. Boasting cheap rooms, a swimming pool and breakfast, it also offers some of their most popular homeware items. Las Dunas de Santa Catalina Boutique House is a new two-star hotel owned by the interiors brand in Gran Canaria. Rooms start from £105 a night, which includes a continental breakfast, and works out to just over £50 a night for two people.
Business News Wales
7 hours ago
- Business News Wales
The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales Celebrate Triple Shortlisting at Awards
The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales have been shortlisted in three prestigious categories at the 2025 M&IT Awards. Widely regarded as the Oscars of the business meetings and events industry, the group's flagship venues and brand have been selected as finalists in the following categories: Best Hotel Brand – The Celtic Collection Best UK Hotel – Celtic Manor Resort Best UK Conference Centre – ICC Wales The awards are voted for by professionals across the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) industry, making them a trusted indicator of quality and service excellence. The Celtic Manor Resort has been recognised in the Best UK Hotel category, an accolade it has secured 10 times previously. ICC Wales has once again earned a spot among the country's top conference centres, having secured the Silver Award in this category for the last two years. The wider Celtic Collection brand, which includes a portfolio of experience-led hotels and venues across Wales and beyond, is also in the spotlight, shortlisted for Best Hotel Brand against much larger international groups including Four Seasons, Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and Melia Hotels. Julie Hammond, Group Chief Executive Officer of The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales, said: 'We're incredibly proud to see our venues and team recognised once again by our peers and clients in the industry. These nominations reflect our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for event organisers and guests alike. We're grateful to everyone who voted for us, and we're excited to celebrate with the best in the industry at the M&IT Awards later this year.' The winners will be announced at the M&IT Awards ceremony taking place in London on 19 September, where hundreds of professionals from across the UK and international events industry will come together to celebrate the sector's top achievers.
