H&M ENTERS INTO FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FOR STORE OPENINGS IN ISRAEL

H&M has entered into franchise agreement with Match Retail Ltd. for store openings in Israel. The first H&M store is planned to open during 2010.

– There has been a great interest in H&M from the Israeli market for quite some time and we believe that our business concept will suit the Israeli market well. Through this co-operation we will gain access to our franchise partner’s solid franchise experience and business network on the Israeli market, says Rolf Eriksen, CEO at H&M.

– We feel extremely proud and privileged to be chosen as H&M’s franchise partner in Israel and are committed to providing our customers with fashion and quality at the best price. With its full range of new and exciting products, we look forward to establishing H&M as a leading player in the Israeli fashion market, says Andrew Horesh, Chairman Match Retail.

Match Retail Ltd. is a privately owned company founded by the Horesh family for the exclusive purpose of handling H&M in Israel. The Horesh family operates various business activities in Israel, among them Union Motors and Lex Motors, the exclusive distributors for Toyota and Lexus in Israel.
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Contact persons:
H&M
Kristina Stenvinkel
Head of Communications
Telephone: +46-8-796 39 08
stenvinkel@hm.com

H&M
Jenni Tapper-Hoël
Head of Media relations
Telephone: +46-8-796 89 73
jenni.tapper-hoel@hm.com

Match Retail
Gali Zander
Telephone: +972 9 740 9710
press@h-m.org.il

Match Retail
Mina Zilber
Telephone: +972 9 740 9710
press@h-m.org.il

Press pictures and background information for editorial use can be downloaded at www.hm.com
The information in this press release is that which H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (publ) is required to disclose under Sweden’s Securities Market Act. It was released for publication at 08.00 (CET) on 9 December 2008.