Retail giant sets the day for opening

THE question shoppers have long been asking — when will H&M officially open its Hobart store — can now be answered.

H&M’s store in the Cat and Fiddle Arcade — in part of the Harris Scarfe/former Fitzgerald’s building — will open on May 5, the Australian Country manager of the European clothing giant, Hans Andersson, said.

“I was in Hobart for a couple of days last week and had a look at the space, the fit-out is going very well,’’ Mr Andersson said.

“We are actually ahead of schedule.”

The Swedish fashion house has more than 4300 stores in 69 countries and Tasmanians have been eagerly awaiting its presence in the Hobart CBD.

Mr Andersson said new staff had been hired — all from Hobart and surrounding regions — to run the store.

He said because of the location and Hobart’s recent renaissance he was confident the store would be a big hit.

“Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, it has a quarter of a million inhabitants, a lot of university students and a lot of international tourists,” Mr Andersson said.

“It’s a very appealing place for us, I can sense the enthusiasm down here.

“But we also wanted to wait for the first location because the first store is the most important one and I think we have the right store for us in Hobart.”

Set over two levels and 2600 sqm, the H&M store will carry every range of its clothing but not its home range.

Mr Andersson was confident of the benefits it would bring to the CBD.

“I think it will attract more shoppers into Hobart,” he said.

“In the new Cat and Fiddle Arcade refurbishment I think we are one of the last stores that will open and after that you will have a very competent mall.

“When I saw it on Thursday and Friday last week I was very impressed with the location, it’s a nice arcade.”

And as for any special events to mark the opening, Mr Andersson said watch this space.

“Definitely, there will be some nice surprises in every department I can promise you that,” he said.