H&M is to open its first store in south east Asia in central Singapore next year.

The 3,000 sq m store will open on Orchard Road, one of the busiest shopping streets in the city.

H&M chief executive Karl-Johan Persson said: “We look forward to opening our first store in South East Asia. There is great potential for expansion in this highly populated and fashion conscious region, and Orchard Road in Singapore is the perfect first step for this.”

The Singapore store is to open in autumn 2011.