H&M is to ramp up expansion plans in the second half of this year as it seeks to take advantage of cheap property deals.

H&M has opened seven shops in the UK and Ireland so far this year – including three former Woolworths shops – but now wants to accelerate the pace. It has confirmed new stores to open in the autumn in Glasgow, Union Square in Aberdeen, Bluewater and St David’s Centre in Cardiff.

This week H&M opened a 32,290 sq ft, three-storey shop in Brighton, which is its third in the city but the first to carry its entire range. The Swedish fashion retailer has 147 stores in the UK and 10 in the Republic of Ireland at present.

H&M last week revealed it has struck a deal to collaborate with iconic shoe designer Jimmy Choo. Choo will design a range for the retailer, to hit 200 stores worldwide in November. Previous tie-ups have included Matthew Williamson and Stella McCartney.

As Retail Week went to press H&M was about to reveal its second-quarter trading update.