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Accessories Shoes With the grand opening of H&M's flagship store downtown Thursday, Vancouverites will see more than just fashion bargains. As the hordes of shoppers now traipsing out to the suburbs to buy from the affordable, fashion-forward store stay in town, we'll see reductions in smog and greenhouse gas emissions, too.Ever since H&M opened at Coquitlam a year ago, the young and trendy have been driving there from all over the Lower Mainland to find designer clothes at prices they can afford. Everyday shopping at the store has been like the frenzy of the Army and Navy shoe sale.H&M spokeswoman Laura Shankland said the store was overwhelmed by the consumer interest. On opening day, 600 people lined up before it unlocked the doors. In April, they opened their second store at Lougheed Mall.Now, she says, the Swedish clothing giant is delighted to launch its biggest Canadian store in the space formerly occupied by Holt Renfrew in Pacific Centre. Shankland hopes the response will be similarly huge.The first 250 people in line will receive a randomly selected H&M gift card preloaded with a value between $10 and $200."We are very excited," she says. "It's an amazing location and it's been such a long time coming."Acknowledging that crowds in Coquitlam made it tough to get a fitting room, Shankland recommends customers take advantage of the store's 30-day return policy and try clothes on at home.At 28,660 square feet, the Pacific Centre location is big. Really big. Big enough to house a wide selection of clothes for kids, teens and adults of both genders.And unlike the Coquitlam store, the downtown location will have H&M's highest-fashion collection featuring the latest in international trends for both men and women, promises Shankland.Shoes too. "We have a great selection of shoes, everything from your very basic flip-flops to dressy shoes and boots for fall."For men, the store will carry a Modern classic collection, tailored men's suits made of fabrics from Italy and cashmere sweaters.When the store opens, it will feature summer fashions highlighting ethnic prints, tropical colours, swimwear and accessories.H&M has collaborated in the past with international designers and celebrities, including Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf, Madonna and Roberto Cavalli. This fall, H&M introduces a line from Comme des Gar?ons' founder and head designer Rei Kawakubo. The collection will feature clothing for women and men, as well as some pieces for children, accessories and an exclusive unisex fragrance.H&M has 38 stores in Canada: 22 in Ontario, three in Alberta, 10 in Quebec and now three in British Columbia.