Community | January 16, 2010 | 5 comments

H&M's 'Brand Integrity': Destroying Surplus Winter Clothes in New York Instead of Donating Them to t

source: http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/145196/what_do_h%26m_and_nyc_have_in_common_both_have_bee...

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In a story that should have us all railing against the cancer of capitalism, it recently came to the attention of many, thanks to the New York Times, that ubiquitous fashion retailer H&M has apparently been destroying perfectly usable unsold clothing, in the middle of winter, in a city where one third the population is poor.

"Gloves with the fingers cut off," "warm socks," "cute patent leather Mary Jane school shoes, maybe for fourth graders, with the instep cut up with a scissor," and "men’s jackets, slashed across the body and the arms" are among the items recently described by one New York resident to Times reporter Jim Dwyer as being among the countless pieces of merhandise purposely ruined and rendered unwearable, piled in trash bags behind the Herald Square location in Manhattan.

The article met with much outrage -- "H&M" topped the Trending Topics list on Twitter -- and shortly thereafter, H&M announced that that it would stop the practice and would "instead donate the garments to charities."

"It will not happen again,” said Nicole Christie, a spokeswoman for H&M in New York. “We are committed 100 percent to make sure this practice is not happening anywhere else, as it is not our standard practice.”
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5 comments // H&M's 'Brand Integrity': Destroying Surplus Winter Clothes in New York Instead of Donating Them to t

  • raylinmarie
    • 0
      raylinmarie  

    • A lot of clothing companies do this, actually. Unfortunately, someone just caught H&M. A lot of times, if a clothing brand doesn't sell their clothes to a discount retailer (like Ross) or to an outlet, they destroy the clothing.

      But I do think that because of the anger over H&M that more retailers are donating. BCBG just sent a bunch of clothes to Cancer Society thrift stores instead of destroying them.

      But I have a feeling as soon as this dies down, the companies will go back to destroying the garments.

    • 2 years ago
  • danitassin
  • Niccole_Osborn
    • 0
      Niccole_Osborn  

    • It is ridiculous. For myself, it would be common sense, second nature, to give to charities. Burning helps in no way shape or form. Even if they aren't just good at heart, obviously this option would boost their public image. Come on now companies. Don't be stupid, and do the right thing.

    • 2 years ago
  • Varex_Sythe
    • 0
      Varex_Sythe  

    • What I truly don't understand is why the hell don't companies like this donate their products that failed to sell and must be taken off of the shelves to some kind of charitable organization for a goddamn tax break? Do companies not get tax breaks for donating fully functional products to charities?

    • 2 years ago
  • klsdesigns
    • 0
      klsdesigns  
    • Varex_Sythe:

      after working in the wonderful world of retail for over 15 years, the truth is that the companies do get tax breaks for donating any of their products to charities. it is really a sin that such a huge corporation like h&m did not realize this? there is honestly a salvation army about 6 blocks from the 34th street location that would of jumped on the oppertunity to have all the free donations. its just sad. a note to self.. everyone can get tax breaks when they donate to charity. just make sure to get a reciept every time you donate, and then you can write it off.
      spread the word.. and stop the insanity!!

    • 2 years ago
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