H&M scheduled to open in Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Hennes and Mauritz, better known as H&M, a global retailer known for offering fashion-forward apparel, announced plans to open a store in Austin.

The company has 245 locations in the U.S. and six locations throughout Texas. The store will debut in the state’s capital at The Domain and is scheduled to open in fall 2012.

“H&M is committed to opening new stores in the best locations throughout the entire country,” said Daniel Kulle, U.S. president for H&M. “We are excited to finally offer local Austin shoppers access to our high fashion, quality collections.”

H&M will take up about 24,000 square feet of the approximate 1.3 million-square-foot shopping center.

The new location will offer collections for ladies, men, young ladies and young men. There will be separate sections for accessories, maternity and lingerie.

The Austin store will also offer the Swedish retailer’s children’s collection, which features clothing for newborns to children age eight.

H&M opened its first U.S. store on New York’s Fifth Avenue 12 years ago and ever since, the U.S. is one of the retailer’s most important markets.

Internationally, H&M has more than 2,500 stores and 44 markets around the world.