H&M Vietnam has opened two new stores, in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

The HCMC store is located inside District 7’s Crescent Mall, managed by Savills Vietnam, while the Hanoi store is situated in Vincom Nguyen Chi Thanh.

Crescent Mall, comprising 45,000sqm of retail space, is one of the city’s earliest international-grade shopping centres and has been trading for about eight years. An extension adding 11,200sqm of retail space, is currently under construction and expected to open late next year, beneath a 25-storey office tower.

“Crescent Mall is fortunate to be in an area where expansion is still possible,” said Tu Thi Hong An, associate director of commercial leasing at Savills HCMC. “When compared to other areas in Ho Chi Minh, District 7 has been planned and well zoned by Phu My Hung. We hope that H&M will be very happy in this new location.”

According to Savills, retail turnover in Vietnam last year was US$129 billion, increasing 11 per cent year on year. From now until 2021, the retail market is forecast to grow steadily with the increased demand of leisure (10 per cent per annum), modern grocery (9 per cent) and apparel (6 per cent).

After entering Vietnam in September last year, H&M Vietnam now has six stores in both Hanoi and HCMC while its rival Zara’s taking time with two outlets, one each in HCMC and Hanoi.

Yen Hai Nguyen – Inside Retail Asia