A popular home furnishings chain known as the ‘little Ikea’ among customers is set to expand its presence in the UK by doubling the number of its stores. Søstrene Grene, a family-owned brand that entered the British market in 2016, has gained a loyal following with its Scandinavian design-focused approach, offering a range of homeware, kitchen products, gifts, and stationery.
With a layout reminiscent of Ikea and Flying Tiger in Copenhagen, each Søstrene Grene store encourages leisurely exploration before reaching the checkout area. The chain has recently announced plans for significant expansion, building on its success in opening 47 new stores this year, predominantly in the UK and Germany. The company aims to launch an additional 20 stores by the end of 2025, with a target of nearly 100 stores in the UK by 2027.
Søstrene Grene has experienced notable growth, particularly in the UK, where revenues have surged by an impressive 130% year-over-year. Additionally, the brand is investing in a new £36 million distribution center in the Netherlands to support its operations.
Mikkel Grene, the CEO and co-owner of Søstrene Grene, expressed pride in the company’s achievements, highlighting the exceptional growth and positive reception from British customers. The success was further boosted by a strong Christmas season, indicating increasing customer loyalty.
These expansion initiatives come at a time when many high street retailers are facing closures. While Poundland is shutting down several outlets, other brands like Sports Direct, Starbucks, and JD Sports are also reducing their presence in various locations across the UK.
JD Sports recently reported a decline in group like-for-like sales, with a decrease in its North American and domestic divisions. Despite the challenging market conditions, the company’s CEO, Regis Schultz, emphasized the resilience of the business and the focus on operational efficiency and financial discipline to navigate the uncertain trading environment.
Looking ahead, JD Sports remains cautious about the trading landscape but expects minimal impact from US tariffs for the current financial year, aiming to meet market expectations for full-year profit before tax and adjusting items.