Sweden-based clothing retail chain Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has revealed plans to reopen stores in Ukraine, more than a year after temporarily closing it.

The retailer temporarily closed all stores in Ukraine in February last year in response to the geopolitical conflict in the region.

H&M is currently negotiating with partners and authorities and is planning to gradually reopen most of its stores in the country from November this year.

The retailer is monitoring the situation in the country to ensure the safety of its employees and customers. It intends to reopen stores wherever possible.

In a statement, the company said: “H&M Group is in contact with local stakeholders in terms of how to best support the country and local communities as they look to rebuild.

“In addition to previous donations supporting the people in Ukraine, the group will partner with organisations on the ground and engage in relief and rebuilding programmes.”

As of November 2021, the clothing retailer operated eight stores in Ukraine.

According to a report by the Financial Times, as of March 2022, the business accounted for 0.2% of H&M’s total sales.

In July last year, H&M decided to exit the Russian market after suspending all sales in the country earlier in the same year.

Recently, the retailer said it is probing into 20 alleged cases of labour abuse at its manufacturing factories in Myanmar.