H&M and Forever 21 Take On Japan

Filed Under: Fashion Smashion Donatella Versace Business Blitz H&M LVMH

While luxury brands like Versace and Louis Vuitton are retreating from the area, fast fashion retailers H&M and Forever 21 are looking to expand!

Serial copycats Forever 21 set up shop in Harajuku back in April and are already looking to open 2 or 3 more shops within the next year.

Gotta make up those lawyer fees somehow!

H&M who invaded Japan last year already has opened 5 shops since September of 2008 and will upon their first "concept store" this weekend.

Larry Myer, Forever 21's CFO believes the increase in business has to do with luxury not being "in vogue". And H&M agrees saying "Caring about value and quality has been in Japan for a long time, but it's more pronounced now because of the recession. The Japanese know that lower prices do not mean bad quality."

The Harajuku girls must be happy to hear this news. Maybe the reported "long lines that snake around the entrance" on the weekends will be shorter with new stores being added.

[Image via AP Images.]

Posted: November 12, 2009 at 2:30 pm