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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

No H&M store in Winnipeg until 'perfect location' found

By: Martin Cash

Posted: 02/10/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

H&M is not building a store in Polo Park after all.A few months ago we raised the spirits of many Winnipeggers with a report that, at the time, seemed all but certain that the Swedish fashion retailer was opening its first store in Winnipeg.

But alas, it is not true... yet.

Emily Scarlett, a spokeswoman for H&M in Canada, said she'd heard all the rumours -- at least partially coming from the fact the company was advertising for positions in Winnipeg on its website -- but said the company has still has not found the right location.

"Winnipeg is at the top of our wish list," she said. "But especially when it is the first store in a city we want to be patient and find the perfect location."

The company no longer has Winnipeg positions posted and Scarlett said it had previously been testing the water to see what kind of interest and staffing availability there might be if and when they do open a store.

The rumour mill was churning also because of the reconfiguration of the space at the eastern end of the mall where the Safeway store used to be. About five other stores contiguous to the former Safeway location have been relocated and major demolition work is just about complete on the 40,000 square feet of space that is now empty.

"We never did have a lease with H&M and we do not have any tenants lined up yet for the space," said Deborah Green, Polo Park's manager.

H&M typically builds 18,000-square-foot stores.

Scarlett said the company believes there is "great interest" in Winnipeg for an H&M store, both in terms of potential employees and customers.

But she said they are still looking for the "perfect location" for first-time stores in Winnipeg and Ottawa.

H&M is famous for its huge selection with women's, men's, teens' and children's lines refreshed daily with new items and low prices.

There are close to 1,800 H&M stores in 34 countries, including 51 stores in Canada -- but none between southern Ontario and Alberta.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 10, 2010 B7

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