Erling Persson (21 January 1917 – 28 October 2002) was the founder of H&M (Hennes & Mauritz).
[1][2] He got the idea following a post-World War II trip to the United States: he was impressed by the country's efficient, high-volume stores.
[2] He established the company in Västerås, Sweden, in 1947 selling women's clothing, calling it Hennes, Swedish for "hers."
In 1968, Persson acquired the premises and inventory of a Stockholm hunting equipment store named Mauritz Widforss.
In 1982, his son, Stefan Persson took over as the managing director, and today is the chairman of the board.