Lidl has presented its new store identity in Finland – switching colors from blue to grey, introducing wider corridors and re-located departments but also improved facilities for the staff. The new look from spring 2016 onwards is based on deep consumer surveys. ”People prefer to visit the grocery store without a feeling of congestion,” says Country Manager Lauri Sipponen . […]
Archive | Trends

Stockmann’s Crazy Days dropped 3%
With change of month for the Crazy days campaign, the Stockmann Group’s sales in March were down by 26.9 percent and amounted to 84.0 million EUR in the continuing product areas and businesses. Without the campaign effects, the sales seem to have dropped 1.4 percent. And the Crazy days held in April dropped 3 percent compared to last […]
Another Nest puts all Skåne stores out of business
The multibrand fashion chain Another Nest has put its five Skåne stores out of business – less than a year after the premiere of the chain. “The reason is poor profitability and declining sales at the locations, said bankruptcy trustee Ola Sellert on Trägårdh law firm. (more…)
Dagrofa’s expanding private label: ”We have a winner”
Dagrofa thanks its Gestus brand for a strong growth in sales of private label products. With Gestus as a spearhead sales of its own brands grew by 10 percent in 2015 . ”The great consumer interest for Gestus series stresses that we have a winner with a food brand that puts quality and taste of everyday life for a […]

Elkjøp aquires Danish electronics chain Fona
As expected – Elgiganten takes over Fona’s brand and operations in ten stores in Denmark with plans to turn it into a multichannel city concept under Elgiganten’s label. ”We have good experience from Norway and Sweden, with shops in the city center, and therefore we are happy with this agreement, ” said Jaan Ivar Semlitsch, […]
Synsam to open 100 stores with new concept
Optician chain Synsam is investing in a new business in optics and sports glasses. Synsam Sports will offer personalized glasses, specialized for 18 different sports. The new chain will be established in about 100 Nordic locations. The first store opens at Sankt Eriksplan in Stockholm on 18 April. (more…)

Media Markt: ”We are ready to expand in Sweden again”
After a series of cancelled store openings in 2012, Media Markt now says it is now prepared to open several new stores. The chain says that the number of profitable stores now have doubled – and points to a 67 million improvement despite 230 million SEK in losses last year. “We can confirm that the business is developing according […]
Varner Group set to open new chain for women
Varner Group’s new fashion chain for women, Days like this, open the doors to eleven stores next week. Cubus and Bik Bok is already specifically targeted at women, but now the Norwegian fashion group further such a chain in his portfolio with 11 new stores + online sales already this month. ”Days Like This is a […]
Coop converts SuperBrugsen to new smaller city concept
SuperBrugsen has just begun the refurbishment and conversion of three stores in Copenhagen into a new concept, the new supermarket-convenience-brand Brugsen will open at the end of the month. (more…)
Media Markt invites to dance at 10th anniversary
Media Markt is celebrating ten years in Sweden – and releases a new advertising concept. (more…)
Regional centre invests in spectacular playground
Gränby Centre invests in a spectacular playground ”The new playground is designed as a miniature Uppsala,” says Daniel Kvant-Suber, business developer, Atrium Ljungberg. (more…)

Tokmanni prepares for IPO
The Finnish retail chain Tokmanni is now considering listing on the Helsinki Stock Exchange’s main market to raise its profile. (more…)

Coop to double sales of organic food in two weeks
Coop Danmark is working hard to double the sales of organic food before 2020. Now t’s going to try to do it in two weeks. All1,200 stores are participating and some of them will completely remove non-organic food from the shelves with milk, eggs, fruits and vegetables. (more…)
Stockholm social supermarket is looking for new premises
Social supermarket Matmissionen is now looking for new premises after the fire in the premises, in Rågsved in southern Stockholm. (more…)
Dagrofa sends back 1.5 million to the producers
Dagrofa campaign “Choose Danish – you buy, we give”, has sent more than 1.5 million DKK back to producers in Danish agriculture. (more…)
Jula to follow up customer loyalty program success with pro-club
Jula’s customer club, JulaClub, has now reached 2 million members. “It’s fantastic! 2 million JulaClub members is a proof that we have many dedicated customers. JulaClub is an extremely important key role in our endeavors to always meet the customer in the right way, “says Joachim Frykberg, CEO of Jula AB. (more…)
Angry carpenter the new face of XL Bygg
XL Bygg engages the Swedish Angry carpenter. TV profile Anders Öfvergård will be the building chain’s face in various advertising activities. (more…)

Per Thelin leaves Stockmann
With a new Chairman, the turnaround specialist Per Thelin leaves his position as Stockmann’s CEO only 17 months after he took the job. ”The agreed strategic actions – in particular the divestments of Russian department stores and Seppälä – have been carried out as planned. The company structure consisting of Stockmann Retail, Real Estate and Lindex has been […]

Bilka’s future opens in Tilst
Bilka has set the concept for the future – starting in Tilst. The store re-opening on Saturday is the new and modernized version of the hypermarket, aimed to compete with discount chains and to offer a sharper customer experience. (more…)
ABC-chain gets local customization concept
The ABC chain is renewed, after about 20 service station stores begin to run their operations under the name Lähi ABC! with services targeted primarily to local customers, who are offered easy shopping eating, refueling and continuing connection with the purchase. The rebranded stations are located mainly in urban areas. (more…)
Two online stores merge for physical concept store
Sister brands Addnature and Bikester deepen their cooperation and launch a joint concept store in Stockholm on 1 April. For the two e-commerce stores, it adds a new contact with customers and further integration and development of their online stores together with the physical stores. (more…)
Viking Line launches design store on the baltic sea
Viking Line has opened the Baltic Sea’s first specialty store in design, decor and beauty. ”We hope to bring the concept to our other six ships,” says Eva Rehnström, Purchasing Manager Sales and Beauty at Viking Line. (more…)
Netto to open more 24/7-stores
Netto Denmark increases the number of stores that never close. Now two stores open in North Zealand. (more…)

Despite weaker currency – border trade boosted again
The border trade does not suffer from a weaker Norwegian currency. In Charlottenberg the retail trade has so far this year increased by over 20 percent. “When the Norwegian krone is weakened imported goods gets more expensive in Norway. Norwegian traders have raised prices a lot, especially on food, “says Lars Erik Eröy, center manager […]
Alko to start online sales of all alcoholic beverages
The Finnish state-owned alcohol monopoly-chain Alko will start e-commerce this year. The aim is to offer the full range. “Our customers can use our services precisely in those channels where they want. By bringing our full range for purchase, we can better serve our customers, “says Alko’s business manager Paula Kujansivu. (more…)
Søstrene Grene enters UK – targets 150 stores
The Danish interior chain Søstrene Grene now opens its first store in England. And this summer, Germany waits. “We believe we’ve come up with something that the UK retail does not yet have, and therefore we also believe that our concept has a justification in England in the long run. 150 stores are not unrealistic in the […]
Stockholm social supermarket destroyed in fire
Sweden’s first social supermarket, located in Rågsved south of Stockholm, caught fire Wednesday morning and could not be saved. (more…)
Swedish discount store set for 8th season on tv
The Swedish discount phenomenon Gekås in Ullared, who can attract over a hundred buses with visitors from far away in a day, get an eighth season of its television series. “I think it is great that the series is so popular and it thus becomes another season. We have many new things going on in Ullared […]
Intersport Denmark: Our retail category needs changes
The changing customer behaviour is a bigger future challenge for Intersport in Denmark than any competitor. COO Thomas Just Rasmussen tells ScandinavianRetail.com about the first year after the takeover of the sportschain – and what’s needed in the future. ”Maybe there’s not room for everybody in Danish sports retail.” (more…)
Lindex launches shop for 140,000 Instagram-followers
Lindex launches the opportunity to shop via Instagram. (more…)
Gina Tricot and Moods of Norway the biggest losers in 2015
The impact of a weaker Norwegian currency leaves its marks on Norwegian fashion industry. Moods of Norway and GinaTricot got the biggest downturn among the major players in the Norwegian fashion sector last year. (more…)

Swedish retail forecast set lower than 2015
After the strongest retail growth in eight years, the forecast for Sweden 2016 is 4.0 percent. ”Retail sales have grown every year since 1997 and will do so again this year,” said Michael Cronholm Consultant on HUI Research. Inhibiting factors like higher taxes and stricter amortization requirements, however, that growth will be lower than last […]
Kesko to reform all K-citymarkets
K-citymarket’s Finnish comprehensive reform has started, all the stores are to be renewed after the local customers wishes by the end of 2018. “The K-citymarket chain reform are utilized by a new way of customer feedback and store-specific customer information. The aim is to make each one of 81 store look unique to its customer base , two K-citymarkets won’t […]
Successful chain donates the profit to cancer research
Classic Danish accessories chain Neye presents solid financial statements. The financial statements show a near doubling of operating profit compared to last year, which is now more than 19 million DKK. The good result is partly due to Neye focusing on that chain operation also has local operations. (more…)
Skånska Byggvaror and Plantagen opens more shop in shops
Skånska Byggvaror is moving into more shop-in-shops at Plantagen’s garden centers. And they will now be completed with a virtual offering. (more…)
Kiwi makes Kiwi+ official
Danish KIWI is now rolling out the extra large discount stores. The offensive kicks off with the launch of the name KIWI + and with the opening of the fifth bigger store, this time in Frederikshavn. (more…)
Nordic nominees for World Retail Awards
Bolia.com and Kikki.K are among the nominees for the World retail awards in April. (more…)
Citycon to have 75 % of all shopping centers certified
Citycon has launched an extensive project to introduce BREAAM In-Use certification for its shopping centres. So far, a total of 16 shopping centres owned by Citycon and four managed by the company have been granted the BREEAM In-Use certificate. Of these, eight are located in Norway, four in Finland, three in Sweden and one in […]
Kanye West pop-up at Ikea head office
American superstar Kanye West caused some raised eyebrows as he unexpectedly showed up at Ikea in Älmhult in Sweden. Ikea does not want to comment the reason for the visit yet. (more…)
Lidl to trial extended opening hours for Easter
With new legislations, Lidl experiments with the opening hours in Finland. For Easter, the chain will have more extended opening hours than ever. (more…)
Tools to be completely cash free
Ten stores do fine without any cash in the stores. Now all 43 Norwegian Tools-stores will be completely cash free. ”We believe the time is right and the market is ready for cashless stores,” says CEO Jens Kristian Henriksen. (more…)
Mobilia’s rooftop: A municipal pre-school
Mobilia shopping center in Malmö is letting out its rooftop for a large pre-school. (more…)

Ica to open health care clinics at hypermarkets
Ica goes for more qualified health care in connection with its hypermarkets This is done by ICA’s pharmacy chain Apotek Hjärtat opening Minute Clinics. Three trials are now permanent and three new will be established. “The big advantage is that we simplify for customers. You can check your birthmark at the same time you buy milk, “says ICA’s CEO Per […]
Buildingware the strongest boomer online
Buildingware materials grew most of all product categories online last year. This according to the upcoming report E-barometern from PostNord. (more…)

Bauhaus introduces new campaign with Hollywood handyman
Bauhaus changes its Swedish tv-commercial concept. Out goes the family. In comes the Hollywood actor Peter Stormare. “Peter is probably Hollywood’s best handyman. He simply plays the role of himself, “says marketing manager Johan Saxne. (more…)
ABC petrol stations launches unique app-payment
S-Group launches a world unique solution for the ABC-stations in Finland. Car drivers will be able to pay for a refill of fuel through their phones – without leaving the car. (more…)
Paradiset’s second store is a pop-up
The new grocery chain Paradiset’s second store in central Stockholm will be temporary. Landlord Pembroke Real Estate will have a selection of tenants filling the premises at the intersection Mäster Samuelsgatan and Regeringsgatan waiting for a decision on how to develop the property. (more…)
Reitan a top career employer in Sweden
Reitan Convenience Sweden with the brands Pressbyrån and 7-Eleven, has been named one of Sweden’s most attractive employer. It’s mainly the company’s internal training program that allows for further development and the company’s recruitment process that has resulted in a rich diversity of operations. (more…)

Kesko has Finland’s most trusted brands
Kesko has a strong hand of store brands – in a new survey, K-rauta, Intersport and Asko was by far the most trusted brands in each category in Finland. (more…)

H&M accused of breaking its code of conduct
The H&M group’s sales including VAT increased by 7 percent in local currencies in January 2016 compared to the same month last year. That was according to the forecast. At the same time H&M is accused of breaking its own code of conduct, importing cotton from fabrics in Turkmenistan that use forced labor. (more…)