Justin Bieber calls on fans to not to buy 'trash' merch featuring his image at H&M
- Canadian singer Justin Bieber on Monday hit out at H&M for selling "trash" merchandise featuring his image.
- H&M said it has followed "proper approval procedures."
Canadian singer Justin Bieber has slammed fast fashion giant H&M for selling "trash" merchandise featuring his imagery.
"The H&M merch they made of me is trash and I didn't approve it," Bieber posted on his Instagram stories on Monday. "Don't buy it," he told his 270 million followers.
H&M's online store was offering hoodies, t-shirts and sweatshirts with pictures of Bieber or quotes from his lyrics such as "I miss you more than life" from the song "Ghost" for prices between $49.80-$114. The retailer has since taken down the collection.
"H&M has followed proper approval procedures, but out of respect for the collaboration and Justin Bieber, we have removed the garments from our stores and online," the Swedish retailer told Insider on Wednesday.
The fracas surrounding H&M came amid weak sales at the company, as consumers tighten spending in the uncertain market environment. In November, H&M started laying off 1,500 staff to cut costs.
H&M is the world's second-largest fashion retailer after Inditex, the owner of Zara.
H&M shares are down about 40% this year so far.