Swedish fashion retailer H&M is under pressure to prove to investors it can turn its fortunes around and fend off fierce competition from fast-fashion rivals such as Zara, whose sales are rising, and China-founded Shein, set to go public this year. H&M, which sold more than $22 billion in clothing and accessories in its 2023 financial year, aims to reach an operating margin of 10% by the end of 2024. Faced with falling sales, the retailer with around 4,300 global stores is intensifying cost-cutting, prioritising profitability over revenues.