Out of a regional headcount of 256 for the former East Asia region, 78 positions will be removed, with the Singapore office accounting for most of the layoffs, according to a formal notice issued on May 11, as reported by Malay Mail.
Responding to queries from The Straits Times, H&M Singapore said it is “fully supporting” employees through “any organizational changes” but did not provide further details.
The company also declined to reveal how many staff members or which roles were impacted.
“We are constantly working on improvements to adapt to our customers’ expectations. As part of that, we regularly review how we work to ensure our organisation remains flexible, efficient and fast-moving,” H&M said.
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People walk past a temporarily closed H&M outlet along the Orchard Road during the Covid-19 crisis. Photo by ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters |
The retailer added that Singapore continues to be an important market and that it will retain an office in the country.
“We will continue to maintain our retail presence reflecting our long-term commitment,” the company said.
H&M, which currently operates six stores in Singapore, entered the country in 2011 with the opening of its Somerset outlet.
Its two-storey outlet at Ion Orchard closed in March 2023 after operating for more than a decade. The retailer also shut its Tampines Mall store in August 2020 and its Waterway Point outlet in Punggol in January 2021.
In a statement issued on May 15, the Singapore Manual and Mercantile Workers’ Union said H&M Singapore is not unionised, although some employees may be members of the union.
“The National Trades Union Congress and the SMMWU stand ready to offer assistance and resources to help our members and workers transition to new job opportunities and provide financial support if needed,” said SMMWU secretary-general Andy Lim.
