Sweden-based fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has revealed its plan to expand its retail footprint in India, according to a report by The Hindu business line.

The retailer plans to open six new stores in the country, taking take its store count to 57 by the end of this year.

H&M entered the country through the single-brand retail route in 2015 and currently operates 51 stores in 26 cities.

The clothing retailer will enter three new markets, including Ranchi, Patna and Mangalore, taking its presence to 29 Indian cities later in the year.

Meanwhile, H&M also aims to boost its presence in the existing markets of Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

H&M India country sales manager Yanira Ramirez told the publication: “Coming out of the pandemic, which was a difficult time for everyone, we were able to open only one new store in 2021 and two new stores in 2022.

“But in the last six months, we launched three new stores and refurbished our flagship store at Select City Walk in New Delhi. We are very proud that going forward over the next six months, we will be able to deliver six new stores. So this indicates the growing pace of our physical expansion in the country.”

In addition to physical stores, H&M offers products through its own site and through the Flipkart-owned e-commerce marketplace, Myntra.

Ramirez added: “The online channel is growing strongly and enables us to become more accessible across the country. With our new warehouse in Mumbai, we are able to deliver products to consumers in shorter periods of time.”

Last month, H&M signed a long-term agreement with Chile-based shopping mall company Parque Arauco to open three stores in its Colombia properties.