Modest, but extremely ambitious
The Danish “JYSK” refers to anything and anyone hailing from the peninsula Jutland, just like founder Lars Larsen. The word is associated with modesty, sturdiness and honesty, three values Larsen cherishes deeply.
Larsen also proves that modesty can be mixed with ambition: “The long term goal has always been to make JYSK a bigger and more profitable company. The increase in turnover and earnings shows that we have done well and set new landmarks in the development of JYSK GROUP. However, we are far from finished. We will continue to open new JYSK stores around the world, and at the same time we will strengthen and expand our online operations, so we have online sales in all of the countries where JYSK has stores,” he says.
Active in 41 countries
The very first JYSK store opened in Aarhus in 1979 and barely 5 years later, he had also opened his first German store. Now, JYSK is the largest international Danish retailer, with brands like JYSK Nordic, JYSK Franchise and Dänishes Bettenlager (in Germany and Austria).
It has more than 2,300 stores in 41 countries, including 80 in the Netherlands but none in Belgium. It also has distribution centers in Denmark (Uldum), Germany and Bulgaria and it employs more than 20,000 people.
Owner and founder Lars Larsen is also the man behind furniture retailers Bolia.com, IDEmobler and ILVA and the entire Lars Larsen Group has a 3.4 billion euro consolidated turnover.
