By
Bloomberg
Published
Oct 10, 2023
Hennes Mauritz AB and Inditex SA’s store franchises in Israel have closed after the attacks from the militant group Hamas that started Saturday.
Hennes Mauritz stores will remain shut “until further notice,” a spokesperson for the Swedish retailer said in an emailed comment on Tuesday. There are 24 HM stores in Israel.
The 84 stores Spanish retailer Inditex has franchised in Israel have also closed temporarily. The brands, including Zara and Bershka, have informed customers that return times will be extended by 30 days from when they reopen.
As the conflict entered its fourth day, Israel said it’s building a base for thousands of soldiers in preparation for the next phase of its retaliation to the attacks that killed hundreds of Israelis, most of them civilians. At least 600 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory attacks, Palestinian authorities said.
Swedish furniture retailer Ikea also said its franchise partner in Israel has shut down customer operations.
