Recently, a graduate student in New York City came across workers from H&M destroying perfectly wear-able coats in the dead of winter. Cynthia Magnus watched as the employees slashed the coats, along with a number of other clothing items to prevent them from being given away or sold cheaply, as a means of preserving their image. Magnus felt that this was a heartless move by the company, especially in a city with many impoverished citizens. To make matters even worse, there was a clothing drive being held just a short walk away. The clothing drive volunteers had asked specifically for winter coats, and the volunteers would have given these H&M coats an exuberant welcome had the store been willing to donate them.

  

On the other hand, H&M, who apologized for the destruction of the clothing, emphasizes the importance of their customers feeling that they are getting their money's worth when purchasing their items. If customers spend three figures on a new coat, how will they feel seeing it on someone who received it for free? Won't this cause them to second-guess their purchase? Or would you, as the customer, feel warmth inside, knowing you're supporting a company that does its part to help out those in need?

H&M also states that destroying the coats is necessary should they wish to avoid issues of recipients of their donated items returning the coats to the store for cash should the coats be donated. However, there are a number of other clothing companies that combat this dilemma by slashing or marking the label tags of donated items, preventing the return of these items to retail stores.

For more information, check out the original report on the New York Times website, or your copy of the the New York Times from January 6th, 2010.