I am not sure what “H&M” stands for, but it is supposed to be a famous chain of department stores peddling fashionable but cheap clothing, mainly for women. It hails from someplace in Scandinavia, if I am not mistaken. They have just opened several outlets in shopping centers across the Croatian capital. At any rate, today they opened a big department store right in the heart of Zagreb, which serves as their flagship. It is the main draw to a controversial development that has been plopped by hook or by crook into one of the most beautiful squares in the city. It was amazing to watch the havoc in front of the department store’s entrance this morning. To one side of the square there was a huge crowd of protesters carrying signs of different sizes. Most of them were young men, but there were many women among them, as well. A line of policemen with helmets, shields, and all sorts of protective gear on their arms and legs barred their way into the development. To the other side there was a long line of people waiting to be admitted into the new H&M department store. Almost all of them were young women, though. In short, Zagreb is very much divided. And along gender lines. The feminists among the protesters must have felt pretty distraught at the sight of the throng of wannabe H&M shoppers.

Addendum (April 8, 2011)

The protesters are long gone, but the line in front of the department store is still going strong for the second day in a row. It is Friday, and the weekend will bring many more curious shoppers. The line will swell to bursting, and the many guards keeping it in good order will have much to do. Once again, nearly all of the shopping enthusiasts are young women. Although they do not look exactly provincial, many of them appear to come from some distance away. Judging from their unflagging interest, H&M has done well with the location of its flagship. Croatian capitalism has many ardent supporters, but the women in line are surely among the most ardent. By and by, they will be showing off their precious acquisitions ever farther from the Croatian capital, thus fomenting ever more interest in the new department store. And travel. Another victory for the eager consumer, no doubt. As well as for global commerce dedicated to their shallow tastes and even shallower pockets.