H&M to open in Portland this summer – um, probably
Darn, those Swedes are tight-lipped! Rumors have circulated in local fashion circles for years about an H&M store coming to Portland, but until today we haven’t been able to confirm the speculation. And frankly, it’s still a little confusing. That said, it’s looking positive – and here is what we can tell you:
Sources in both Seattle and Portland, including The Neat Sheet’s friend and retail reporter Laura Gunderson at The Oregonian, are reporting that Swedish retail giant H&M will open in downtown Portland’s Pioneer Place this coming summer.
However, moments ago we received this official statement from Nicole Christie, H&M Communications Manager: “We are of course looking to expand nationally including in the Pacific Northwest area, but we have no confirmation of a new location at this point in time.” And on top of that, Sandra Rollinson of Pioneer Place will only confirm they are opening a new Japan Sushi Express joint in the Food Court this January. We love sushi, so that’s cool, but not exactly the scoop we were seeking.
Why all the contradictory information and dodgy statements? Our best guess is H&M (which operates 1,800 freaking awesome, affordable and trendy stores in 35 countries) is close to closing a deal to open in Portland’s Pioneer Place this summer, but they can’t spill the beans before inking the final negotiations. Fair enough, right?
UPDATE, Saturday, Dec. 19: The Neat Sheet sticks by our previous report that the latest Portland H&M rumor has not been confirmed by either the company or Pioneer Place Mall. However, reports by man-about-town Byron Beck yesterday and The Oregonian today claim unnamed real estate developers have leaked H&M will take over the Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s space at Southwest Fourth Avenue and Yamhill Street. Bottom line – this is a pretty solid rumor and likely true, though still no one seems to be able to confirm it.
UPDATE, Monday, April, 25: DJC Oregon has an update on the continuing H&M-in-Portland speculation, but still no confirmation from H&M. According to DJC, an invitation to bid has been released to build out a former Saks Fifth Avenue men’s store space in Pioneer Place to an H&M retail clothing store. The project is scheduled to begin June 7, which would put the speculative H&M opening date in late summer. Ish. Neat. Read the complete DJC article here.
UPDATE, Thursday, May 27 – Confirmed! Thanks to Laura Gunderson, our NEAT shopping reporter pal at The Oregonian, we finally have the official word that H&M will open in Portland at Pioneer Place this fall. Read the full story here!
Pioneer Place
700 S.W. Fifth Ave.; 503-228-5800
www.pioneerplace.com
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I am SOOOOO excited about this! In the past, I have traveled hours out of my way to stop by the nearest H&M. A few years ago, that would be Chicago when visiting my husband’s relatives in central Illinois. A year or two ago it was in the form of LONG road trips down to San Francisco. And as of late, not-as-long road trips up to Seattle 3-4 times a year. To think that I will have an H&M in my very own backyard is beyond my wildest dreams come true! :0 I can’t wait!!!!
it’s about time! hurry up we’re all waiting!
Though I would love to see an H&M in Portland, myself, I hope that people still support all the local boutiques and designers that our great city has to offer!
The latest is that they will open in the fall, according to Portland Business Journal as of May 26, 2010.