H&M and Wal-Mart Destroying Unsold Clothes: H&M Statement

by Amy Judd | January 6, 2010 at 03:10 pm

2834 views | 80 Recommendations | 11 comments

News is starting to make the rounds on the Internet and Twitter today about a H&M clothing store in New York destroying their unsold clothes instead of donating them to the homeless. A few doors away a Wal-Mart was found to be conducting the same practice.

The stores are located just east of Sixth Avenue in Manhattan on 35th street and a woman named Cynthia Magnus found bags of sliced and mutilated clothing outside the H&M's back door. A homeless couple were going through the bags trying to find clothes that had escaped the knife. The woman said that most of the clothes they found here were cut up; what makes it even more devastating is that this is clothing that has never been worn.

A Wal-Mart spokesperson said that the company ususally donates their unsold clothes and would have to investiage why it didn't occure this time.

However, Cynthia Magnus said that H&M is a repeat offender and that she's seen this before:

“Gloves with the fingers cut off,” Ms. Magnus said, reciting the inventory of ruined items. “Warm socks. Cute patent leather Mary Jane school shoes, maybe for fourth graders, with the instep cut up with a scissor. Men’s jackets, slashed across the body and the arms. The puffy fiber fill was coming out in big white cotton balls.” The jackets were tagged $59, $79 and $129.

Around the corner from this H&M is New York Cares, company dedicated to taking care of the homeless.

“We’d be glad to take unworn coats, and companies often send them to us,” said Colleen Farrell, a spokeswoman for New York Cares.

So far, Cynthia has received no message back from H&M.

They have released a statement about the matter today:

"H&M is committed to taking responsibility for how our operations affect both people and the environment. Our policy is to donate any damaged usable garments to charity. We're currently investigating an incident in a NY store that is not representative of our policy. We will follow with more information as soon as we are able. H&M's US sales operation donates thousands of garments each year through Gifts In Kind Int."

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Jordan Yerman

at 15:17 on January 6th, 2010

This is really saddening and disappointing. I can't think of a single market, anywhere in the world, where H&M operates which isn't surrounded by people who could really use a free shirt now and then, even if it doesn't fit. I also can't be expected to believe that such destruction isn't policy handed down, since I can't imagine any floor staff just presuming that all that merchandise should be destroyed, and then making the executive decision to destroy it. That's just not how it works at stores like that.

Karen Hatter

at 16:56 on January 6th, 2010

Similar events happen at franchise food mart stores, I mean, in preventing others from having an item that will not be sold, where they are required to throw out the breakfast items before they start making the lunch items.

Such waste when there are so many in need.

Barry ORegan

at 19:06 on January 6th, 2010

Not just the homeless but all the sweat shop workers who made the clothes most likely could not afford them anyway, what a waste to both parties

Frizzhead (not verified)

at 19:24 on January 6th, 2010

"If we can't sell it, no one can" is what is really going on.

Uwe Paschen

at 23:30 on January 6th, 2010

This practice has become common in almost every sector in the Industrialised Nations.

Even in agriculture fruits, vegetable, even life stocks are destroyed to keep price, demand in line and to keep the competition out. Why we have tax breaks for the big once and subsidies wish promotes this. Same goes for the bail outs, those bailed out companies and banks support and promote this as well.

We have enough to feed the world and close it and we could eliminate hunger and have every child in school, for we have the resources and the power to do it. But we rather keep them hungry and illiterate so some wall street banker, stock broker, entrepreneur can be billionaire.

t k kidwai

at 22:30 on January 6th, 2010

When profit in cash,not blessings of God,is motivating factor,capitalism's only gift to mankind ,we need not be shocked or feel disappointed.

Sputnic

at 01:41 on January 7th, 2010

So... they spent money employing people to cut up clothes rather than give them away ! That doesnt even make business sense let alone moral sense.

lan (not verified)

at 04:54 on January 8th, 2010

I am so angry at these two retailers! How could H&M and Wal-Mart destroy clothing instead of donating them to people in real need! Completey waistful and ilogical behavior on the part of H&M and Wal-Mart. Shame on them!!

Marcela (not verified)

at 08:41 on January 8th, 2010

Shame on them!!!!!!!

Love Mineral Makeup (not verified)

at 14:34 on January 9th, 2010

I was appalled to hear about Walmart and H & M throwing away perfectly good clothes...I run a Green Cosmetic Company and do everything we can to reduce the carbon foot print of our company and family... Hearing of companies "Throwing out good Clothes" is dissapointing to all of us doing our best to make our world a better place. They should be ashamed for not setting a better example. Why not donate the clothing? It's a tax right off and you'd feel better than having their, "Selfish" dirty little secret talked about worldwide! As a business owner and mother of 5, I strive to help our community and often donate to charity. I hope more companies strive to Positive Change in the New Year,

BANKRUPT AMERICAN (not verified)

at 00:45 on January 10th, 2010

All these big corporations are so greedy and would not give the needy anything. I say we all do not shop at these stores at all. Boycott them and shop elsewhere. I will never shop at those stores again.