Modesto gets H&M before Fresno
I just ran across this story about a Modesto mall getting an H&M clothing store -- before Fresno. Does anyone else find that surprising?
H&M is a Swedish, low-priced retailer known for "fast fashion" that is expanding into the United States. I've found plenty of trendy clothing at the stores during visits to the retailer in San Francisco and the Las Vegas strip -- most of it under $20.
Does anyone else find it surprising that Modesto would get an H&M before Fresno? Modesto has about half the population and has been hit even harder than Fresno by the housing crisis.
I would think such a store would do well in Fresno. We've certainly got enough people looking for low-priced clothing. And retail experts say many stores do extremely well here because there's no competing cities nearby with big malls to draw away customers.
So how about you, readers? Anyone visited an H&M elsewhere? Would you shop there if they came to Fresno?
Comments:
The first thing I do when I travel is look for an H&M store...it doesn't matter what town I'm in and where the store is...I'll find a way to get there. There are several locations in Fashion Fair that I think would make for a great H&M. Oh well, at least Modesto is closer than San Francisco, where I usually get my H&M fix.
Posted by: Jenn at June 23, 2009 10:18 AM
I wonder if they'll come here sooner or later. Wouldn't the Forever 21 space (which the retailer is leaving to go into the former Gottschalks) be about the right size?
Posted by: Bethany Clough at June 23, 2009 10:21 AM
no, not surprising to me when you take into account that Modesto is a bedroom/commuter community to the bay area. its more than just population count, its lifestyle that contributes to decisions like this.
Posted by: bradley at June 23, 2009 10:24 AM
I would definitely whine on this.....
Posted by: pk at June 23, 2009 12:37 PM
Surprising because our image of Modesto is of a dusty hick town far smaller than Fresno where we do nothing more than make a pit stop on the way to SF... but if you look at the way H&M expands its actually not surprising. They seem to expand out from a major city base like a mushroom. If you look at the way the Bay Area stores opened one by one starting in the heart of SF you will see this pattern. It creates a synergy between the stores. They first went outside the Bay Area by opening a store in Sacramento, and now it looks like their next point on the radar is Modesto. Knowing that they are opening in Modesto creates a virtual certainty that they will open in Fresno next, and/or very soon. Fashion Fair is owned by the same mall management company as Vintage Faire...and Fresno is the next major city down the highway.
Posted by: Jen at June 23, 2009 12:59 PM
Remember that some in Modesto were trying to market the area (before the housing crash) as the "Inland Bay Area." Many national retailers think of Modesto as part of the Bay Area market.
Posted by: Joe Moore at June 23, 2009 1:29 PM
Boo! I just got home from LA which included a big shopping trip to H&M, and ONLY H&M because I love it so much. With all these gottschalks closing in our malls, there's gotta be a chance of H&M coming in- I personally think they're better than Forever 21, and that place is swamped all day. H&M is fashion heaven for someone on a budget!
And speaking of F21, I really hope that if it take the fashion fair gottschalks, that its WAY cleaner and more organized than it is now- its like going through racks at a thrift store.
Posted by: staci louise at June 23, 2009 4:41 PM
I am shocked but what shocks me more is their price point. I have never been in an H&M. Bu in San Jose/Cupertino the H&M is right next to Tommy Bahama and all kinds of high end stores. I just assumed it was pretty pricey because of that.
But I do think that it will quickly come to Fresno (or something like it) just because of the hole that is created since Mervyns and Gottchalks are out.
Posted by: NerdMom at June 24, 2009 9:18 PM
Hate to say it, Jen, but Modesto's image of Fresno is exactly the same. Modesto and Tracy have really become trendy Bay-Area-wannabes in the last twenty years.
Posted by: JB at June 25, 2009 6:31 PM
Modesto, trendy? Now there's a punch line if I ever heard one!
Posted by: Karn1 at June 28, 2009 12:33 PM
YES - bring it on!!
Posted by: paco at June 29, 2009 9:31 AM
HEy I think Modesto is good place for fashion stores to come because we have lots of style....way better then the bay area people...anyways who goes over to the bay its all about LA and Mexico...have u seen how people dress in san fransico..they might have the stores but they dont have no taste of style...they are raggy and boring well not all but many r...so Modesto is way better then Fresno....IF we get H and M store...others might disagree..but its the truth!
Posted by: jeff at July 14, 2009 6:21 PM
Jeff you go on thinking Modesto is better than the Bay Area or Fresno, and while you are at it STAY THERE. Don't come here please we dont need any more ignorant people. Cheers!
Posted by: Cake33 at August 25, 2009 5:05 PM
Oh yes I feel so sorry for you..lets see in Fresno you have Cheesecake Factory, Nordstrom Rack, Pottery Barn, REI, and about a million other stores I'd kill for in Modesto. Not to mention Save Mart Center and concerts! I think if we get just one little store before you you will be just ok ;-)
Posted by: Erin at September 2, 2009 10:43 AM
h and m would do great in Fresno. I think they should year down 790 w shaw in fig garden village and put it in there. it would be a perfect spot.
Posted by: Nicholas Smith at December 15, 2010 5:11 PM
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