Jysk is gearing up to launch in the UK next spring
Danish furniture retailer Jysk is gearing up to launch in the UK next spring. The retailer is understood to be preparing to enter the UK market via a franchise agreement, although it is unclear whether it has signed a partner already.

Jysk is the latest Scandinavian warehouse-style retailer to eye the UK market, following the entry of Ilva earlier this year.

Management Horizons chairman Edward Whitefield said: 'The market in the UK is certainly open for this kind of business. It is strong on price appeal. Ilva appeals to an older demographic, while Jysk is more edgy in terms of fashion than Ikea.'

Whitefield believed furniture store Harveys, part of Homestyle, might make a suitable partner. 'Harveys, which is in desperate need of a viable business and has the property, could slip the business in quickly.'

Jysk opened in 1979 and now generates turnover of Eu1.4 billion (£942.5 million) a year from 1,200 stores worlwide. Some 300 are operated by franchise partners in Canada, Spain and Russia.

Its UK plans are part of a wider international expansion strategy. Other target countries include The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy. Jysk declined to comment.

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