H&M offers free 24-hour suit hire to help those with job interviews 

H&M is praised for offering free 24-hour suit hire to help those with job interviews – as social media users call on other brands to do the same

  • H&M is offering free 24-hour suit hire to help those with job interviews in the UK
  • Customers are able to get a single-breasted navy jacket with matching trousers 
  • The high street retailer has its headquarters based in Stockholm, Sweden 

H&M has been praised online for offering free 24-hour suit hire to help those with job interviews. 

The high street retailer, which has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, has launched the new initiative in the UK, and will also soon be running it in America.

Customers are able to book a single-breasted navy jacket with matching trousers, a white shirt, blue tie and red handkerchief for free, and reserve the items online before they are delivered to their door in a garment bag.

H&M hopes the ONE/SECOND/SUIT campaign will help open more doors and boost confidence in a job interview, by ensuring anyone attending one ‘can make a powerful first impression’.

The idea was applauded online, with one social media user writing: ‘This is such a nice gesture.’

Customers are able to book a single-breasted navy jacket with matching trousers, a white shirt, blue tie and red handkerchief (pictured) for free, and reserve the items online before they are delivered to their door in a garment bag

H&M hopes the ONE/SECOND/SUIT campaign will help open more doors and boost confidence in a job interview, by ensuring anyone attending one 'can make a powerful first impression'.

H&M hopes the ONE/SECOND/SUIT campaign will help open more doors and boost confidence in a job interview, by ensuring anyone attending one ‘can make a powerful first impression’.

Another said: ‘Wow, this is awesome’, while a third added: ‘This is amazing! Long overdue but there should be something like this in place always.’

A fourth wrote: ‘This is a fantastic service! Thank you H&M and any other organisations or service providers helping!’ 

After wearing the suits, shoppers must return the suit to a store, where H&M will arrange washing and dry-cleaning. All delivery charges are free. 

Any returns that are late will incur a charge of £50, which will be donated to charity.

Like with any suit hire, customers will have to pay for any major damage, with the full cost of the ensemble coming in at £116.94. 

 

Reaction: The idea was applauded online, with one social media user writing: 'This is such a nice gesture'

Reaction: The idea was applauded online, with one social media user writing: ‘This is such a nice gesture’

The brand cites research that claims it only takes on second for potential employers to assess a candidate based on first impressions.

The initiative says it will tackle this bias by ‘ensuring the potential inside isn’t overlooked because of what’s on the outside’.

Sara Spännar, Head of Marketing & Communications at H&M, said: ‘Job interviews can be a nerve wracking experience, but we believe nothing should hold you back, least of all what you wear. 

‘The ONE/SECOND/Suit is ready to wear confidence. A signal to the world and a reminder to yourself that you’ve got what it takes.’

The campaign launched in the UK on April 15 and in the US from May 13, and will run during a test period to gauge customer demand.