Founded in 1947 by Erling Persson in Västerås, Sweden, H&M (Hennes & Mauritz AB) has grown from a single women's clothing store into one of the world's most recognized fashion brands. The name "H&M" originally stood for "Hennes," which means "hers" in Swedish, and the company later acquired Mauritz Widforss, a hunting and fishing equipment store, leading to the addition of "Mauritz" to its name.

H&M's mission has always been to offer fashion and quality at the best price. The brand is known for its affordable yet trendy clothing, catering to men, women, children, and even home décor. Over the years, H&M has expanded globally, with thousands of stores in over 70 countries, making it a cornerstone of fast fashion.