Uh-oh H&M.

I go on twitter today and see that H&M is "trending". I quickly find myself sent to this link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/nyregion/06about.html?scp=1&sq=h%20&%20M&st=cse&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter


Which, to be fair, is a pretty shit thing for them to do.


HOWEVER, what about all the food that supermarkets throw out every day instead of donating them to charity? Also, was this H&M policy, or was this particular store acting abnormally?


It is a question, though. Stores are expected to keep a large amount of retail in stock, but how do you keep supply and demand in check? Maybe these particular items were damaged in transport or were in some way made unsalable. I can see why they cut them up- why would someone pay for H&M clothes if they could rummage out back at night and find brand new stuff for free?

If there is anyone to blame, it is the corporate model that we've vigorously campaigned for, over and over in the US, by giving them tax breaks and making it infinitely easier for corporate models to make money. So, at the end of the day, why are we surprised?

You know what else sucks? That Goodwill hires people to go through the stuff we donate, take out the valuable pieces, and sell them on ebay. And the "service" they provide to communities? Hiring employees that are considered "undesirable" by other industries. Which sounds like "good work" until you realize that the government pays half the pay of any business that hires people designated as using state money to live off of, so they are basically paying $4/hr to their employees instead of minimum wage. At least H&M isn't pretending to be some sort of social service. They're in the game to make money. They are good at what they do. I think there are much worse places to put the axe to. The fact that they make reasonable clothing in somewhat style-savvy cuts is what I am drawn to. I have to admit that half my closet is full of H&M, because I can't afford the same cuts at a Department store.


Yes, it seems embarrassingly wasteful. Yes, they should have been going to charity. But let's not make this a witchhunt. There is plenty of blame to go around.