Danish Jysk wants 120 Belgian stores

The Danish interior design chain Jysk is growing rapidly in Belgium: the retailer will soon open its fiftieth Belgian store. The company is looking more often to smaller cities, to be closer to the customer. “The DNA of Jysk is to grow”.

Cities and towns

Since its start in Belgium in 2017, Jysk has already opened almost fifty Belgian stores – making it the fastest growing non-food retailer in the country. Last year, fourteen new stores were added. Since it has reached its initial target, the retailer is raising the bar: there is potential for 120 Belgian stores.

“In the beginning, we focused on retail parks around Brussels and Antwerp”, director Frank Christant told Belgian business newspaper De Tijd. “But now we see that our concept is also catching on in cities with a smaller catchment area.” Jysk wants to be close to the consumer: the shops are only 1,000 sqm in size and are a 15-minute drive away.

Positive pandemic effects

In its financial year 2020-2021, Jysk realised a turnover of 66.7 million euros in Belgium, and a gross profit of 10 million euros. During the pandemic, consumers invested more in embellishing their homes. The retailer is doing particularly well with small furniture: “Our Belgian shops are performing exceptionally well in storage cabinets and occasional furniture.”

Globally, the group has more than 3,000 shops in fifty countries, which together account for a turnover of four billion euros. The company was founded in 1979 by Lars Larsen and is still in his family’s hands.