Positive developments

The Swedish retailer Clas Ohlson was able to increase sales in the recently completed 2007/2008 financial year by 14 per cent on the previous year to SEK 4.662 bn (€ 493 mio). The group’s online and mail order trade accounted for SEK 121 mio (€ 12.9 mio) of the total. Profit rose 9 per cent to SEK 588 mio (€ 62.7 mio). The company is not only represented in Sweden (45 stores), but also operates outlets in Norway (29) and Finland (13). Market entry into the United Kingdom is being planned for the third quarter of the current financial year 2008/2009. The first of between two and four scheduled locations will be launched on a retail area of 1 900 m² in the Whitgift Croydon shopping centre in south London.