As It Prepares to Close Mall Location, Could H&M Be on Its Way Back to Union Square?

"But H&M just confirmed that they have gotten their notice to vacate from the mall's new owners, and they'll be doing so in January. Presumably that means that the H&M Man and H&M Kids stores will be closed as well the mall directory shows them both as still open, among about two dozen stores that are still doing business there. But the Chronicle got a statement from H&M that suggests that they, perhaps like Japanese discount retailer Uniqlo, might be plotting a return to SF after closing their huge Powell Street store early in the pandemic. "We remain committed to our presence in the San Francisco Area and will continue to explore opportunities for the best store locations a guiding principle since our founding in 1947 as reflected in our recent opening at Stonestown Galleria on Nov. 20, 2025," the company said."

"At one time, a number of retailers including Tiffany, Zara, and John Varvatos had locations both at street level in Union Square and inside the nearby former Westfield mall which retail brokers said reflected an effort to target different demographics of customers. John Varvatos, which closed its location in the mall this year, announced plans in August to return to Union Square with a store at 58 Geary Street, not far from its former Geary location. Similarly, Zara is planning to open a multi-level flagship store at Post and Powell streets next year, after also closing its location in the mall. Uniqlo confirmed in early October that it will be taking over the former Old Navy store on Market Street at Fourth, a few doors down from the mall."

The San Francisco Centre mall is nearly shuttered, with roughly two dozen stores still operating amid widespread vacancies. H&M received notice to vacate from the mall's new owners and will close its third-floor H&M, H&M Man, and H&M Kids locations in January. H&M stated that it remains committed to a San Francisco presence and is exploring optimal store locations, citing a recent opening at Stonestown Galleria on Nov. 20, 2025. Other retailers that once operated both on Union Square street level and inside the mall are shifting strategies, with John Varvatos, Zara, and Uniqlo pursuing nearby re-openings or new flagship sites.

Read at sfist.com