Fashion retailer to expand further in 2004

Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), Europe's largest fashion retailer, have planned to increase the pace of its international expansion in 2004, despite weak sales in the fourth quarter.

The Swedish-based group has pledged to open 140 new stores during the year mainly in the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Poland. The group will also open stores in Canada and Slovenia for the first time.