While some Alaskans question if the state is entering into a recession, brands like H&M see an opportunity in Anchorage’s market and will open their store on July 16 at the Dimond Center.
Jennifer Ward with H&M said Alaska was a key target for the West Coast as the chain expands.
Ward: “The Dimond Mall is the largest enclosed mall in the state so we love that we’re able to expand and make H&M’s collection accessible to a wide range of Anchorage shoppers. This particular store is 31,000 square feet and three levels.”
Ward added that although they focus on fashion, H&M also encourages their customers to consider sustainability.
Ward: “So anybody who brings in a bag of clothes, it can be any brand, to an H&M store, will receive 15% off of their next purchase. And this happens in every H&M across the globe any time you go in the store, so really again we’re trying to focus on recycling and not being a throw away society.”
The store will hire around 60 employees, most of which will be Alaskans.