Ann-Sofie Johansson Ann-Sofie Johansson Ann-Sofie Johansson is a Swedish fashion designer, known for being the Creative Advisor and former Head of Design for retailer H&M. Johansson grew up in Ronneby, an hour away from Stockholm, Sweden. As a youth, she shopped often at H&M, calling it the "heaven of fashion". After first thinking about becoming a veterinarian, Johansson instead pursued art science studies and archaeology at Gothenburg and Lund universities – it was then that she realized she wanted a career involving artistic creativity. She took some evening courses in design at the Anders Beckman's School in Stockholm. In 1987, after deciding
Jacob (clothing retailer) attributed its woes were pinned on entries by international retailers into the Canadian market, including H&M and Zara, it was also negatively impacted by "surgical shopping", a gap in the retail market increased during the recession, pushing purchasers to high end or value products, as opposed to middle market. Gap and Sears Canada were cited as casualties. The general manager of Yorkdale Shopping Centre forced the company to close its location in the mall, apparently struggling, in order to allow an outlet of American retailer J. Crew to open. On May 6, 2014 the retailer declared bankruptcy; the company would