Tenant Profile: JYSK
Danish retail chain JYSK has over 3,400 stores worldwide, 14 of which are present in ZDR-owned retail parks and stores. That’s why we chose to introduce this important retail chain to our Southeast Asian partners. What makes JYSK popular not just with customers but also with employees?
“Scandinavian Sleeping and Living” is a slogan well known across Europe. Danish company JYSK has been exporting Scandinavian design and lifestyle since the 1980s when the company opened its first store in Germany. Today, JYSK offers affordable, stylish solutions for every room in the house, including outdoor spaces, with a wide range of furniture, home decor, and bedding.
45 Years on the Market
The JYSK story began in 1979 with the opening of its first store in Aarhus, Denmark—a location that continues to thrive today. As of 2024, JYSK’s global footprint has expanded to over 3,400 stores across 48 countries, stretching from Denmark to Czechia and even as far as Canada. There is also a JYSK store on the Faroe Islands, in fact, one of the oldest. The area where JYSK is not as well known is Asia, even though there was a brief period when JYSK was running a few stores in Thailand and Singapore.
That’s the main reason why we chose to introduce this retail park with this article. The second reason is that we recently acquired a new store in Czechia, long-term leased by JYSK. This addition brings the total number of JYSK stores in our 68-property European real estate portfolio to 14. These stores, located in Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Austria, account for nearly 17,000 sqm—almost 5% of our ZDR portfolio’s total leasable area. This underscores JYSK’s importance as a tenant, alongside major international grocery chains.
Great Store, Great Employer
JYSK is popular not just with consumers but also with its employees. This has been proven many times by employee questionnaires, with JYSK winning top employer awards in many countries, e.g., Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, and Switzerland. This recognition stems from JYSK’s commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture, prioritizing employee satisfaction, and nurturing talent—all part of its strategy to be the preferred employer in the retail sector.
JYSK stores in the ZDR's portfolio
- Stores: 14
- Countries: 5
- Leased area: 17,000 sqm
- WALE: 8.2 years
Sustainability is another area where JYSK excels. As a furniture manufacturer and retailer, the company leverages its position to make significant environmental impacts. JYSK’s initiatives include using recycled materials, ensuring sustainable sourcing (as evidenced by its membership in Better Cotton and FSC certification for all wooden garden furniture), and implementing improved packaging solutions that save millions of plastic bags annually.
A Common Mission
This focus on sustainability aligns closely with our own priorities at ZDR. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are integral to our investment strategy. For us, one of the basic priorities is the sustainable operation of real estate. One of our biggest initiatives is installing photovoltaic panels on the rooftops of our buildings. Our plan is to cover 200,000 sqm with PV, expecting to save almost 1,500 tons of CO2 annually.
We are proud to have JYSK as a partner, aligning with our commitment to sustainability and excellence. With their focus on environmental responsibility and our shared goals, we look forward to a successful and sustainable future together.
