Arket to open its first Italian store with Milan debut next year

H&M Group will open its Arket chain in a key European destination next year with it debuting in Milan. The flagship store will arrive in the spring and will be the label’s first step in Italy.

It will be a lifestyle destination combining a curated selection of ready-to-wear and accessories for women and men, plus kidswear, bodycare and interior design. The fashion offer will mix “timeless staples” with “seasonal fashion drops capturing current trends”.

In-store — as in its other locations — customers will also find the Arket café, developed and led by Swedish chef Martin Berg. The café will offer a vegetarian menu, seasonal pastries, and organic speciality coffees.

Arket MD Pernilla Wohlfahrt said: “For me, Milan is synonymous with quality and craftsmanship, which makes it one of our most anticipated openings so far.”

As with other smaller chains, H&M has taken the Arket rollout pretty slow.

The brand first launched in London (on Regent Street) during 2017 as well as debuting in 18 markets online at the same time. The fact that it’s taken seven years to reach such an important location as Milan is a reflection of the steady pace of the international rollout plan.