H&M to close several Belgian stores including City2

Swedish clothing giant H&M is planning to close several of its Belgian stores - including in Brussels' City2 shopping centre - because of disappointing trading results.

De Tijd and L'Echo newspapers report that fourth-quarter sales in Belgium, from September to November, are the worst in a decade, down 4% year on year.

Footfall in H&M's physical stores is in decline as more customers are shopping online. H&M has 83 stores in Belgium and Luxembourg, employing 2,500 people.

An H&M spokesperson said the City2 store was surplus to requirements, as the brand has two other shops nearby on Rue Neuve.

"Some of our Belgian stores are quite old," the spokesperson said. "H&M needs locations that can offer a complete shopping experience."