H & M may or may not be coming to town

Two different stories about H & M caught my attention today. The first was a radio update on the trendy retailer's plans to set up shop in Winnipeg. I'd heard there would soon be an H & M at Polo Park, and was excited about the prospect of picking up more made-in-Romania short-sleeved blouses and casual blazers. (They have some awesome baby clothes and maternity wear as well). Alas, today's CBC story says it's not a done deal. According to the H & M spokeswoman: "We can't really confirm or deny an opening."

You can't blame her for being a little wiggly with the media. H & M was scrambling last week to deal with a major fashion faux pas. A New York Times story suggested the store was deliberately razoring unsold clothes and trashing them. After the story was published, people Twittered in outrage, and H & M announced it will stop destroying new clothing and donate unsold merchandise to charity instead.

Good plan in theory but in practice maybe not the best solution. H & M can be Hit & Miss. For example: this season's floral-print short shorts and lime-striped elastic-waisted miniskirts? Charities might want to take a pass.