
The First Ring: Roots
Â
CHRONICLES
Chapter 1.9
Austria
Kastner & Öhler was the first department store in Austria, founded in 1873 in Graz by Johann Kastner and Franz Öhler. It is one of the oldest department store chains in the country. It was among the first to introduce the concepts of "fixed prices" and "mail order" in Central Europe. This is significant, as it marks the transition from the traditional retail model, in which prices varied depending on the retailer, to the modern system, where prices are uniform for all customers. Kastner & Öhler also played a pioneering role in mail order, an innovation that would have a lasting impact on European retail.
Â
Kaufhaus Gerngross, founded in 1882 in Vienna, was one of the first department stores and remains one of the most traditional and well-known in the city. It is located on Mariahilfer Straße, one of Vienna's main shopping streets.
Â
Peek & Cloppenburg, a German department store chain, has a popular clothing store in the heart of Vienna, offering a wide range of options for both men and women. The company also has numerous branches in other countries, including the Netherlands and Poland.
Â
Steffl is another well-known department store in Austria, located on Kärntner Straße in the center of Vienna, offering a broad selection of fashion products.
Â
These are just a few examples, but there are many other department stores and shopping centers in Austria that offer a wide range of products and shopping experiences.
Â
Cyprus
Ermes Department Stores, founded in 1940, is one of the most prominent department store chains in Cyprus, with several branches across the country.
Forum Department Stores, primarily located in Larnaca, with additional branches in Nicosia and Limassol, offers a wide range of fashion, beauty, and home products.
Â
Czech Republic
Department stores have a long tradition in the Czech Republic, with some examples dating back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Many of these department stores have come to symbolize modernity and commercial development. Some are still operating today, while others have changed, been renovated, or closed.
Â
BÃlá Labuť (The White Dove) is one of the most historic and iconic department stores in Prague. It opened in 1922 and was a prime example of architectural modernity at the time, featuring a design that combined Art Deco elements with modern functionality. It closed in 2004 and was later renovated and converted into a shopping mall and other functions, but the building itself remains a historic part of Prague.
Â
Kotva opened in 1975 as one of Prague's main shopping malls and department stores, and it is still a symbol of the socialist architecture of the period. Its name comes from the Czech word for "anchor," symbolizing stability and solidity. It is still in business today, although it has undergone several renovations and changes over the years. The lower floors now house numerous shops and businesses, while the building itself serves as a tourist destination due to its historic architecture.
Máj (now Tesco) opened in 1970 and was one of the most modern department stores of its time, known for its wide range of products and architecture that reflected the socialist period. The store occupied a central location in Prague, situated in one of the busiest areas. It was redeveloped and acquired by Tesco in 2004, transforming the building into a supermarket and shopping center.
Â
DenmarkMagasin du Nord, founded in 1868 in Copenhagen by Albert Collin as a clothing and luxury goods store, is one of the most famous and historic department stores in Denmark. Its flagship store is located at Kongens Nytorv, one of the city's most iconic squares. The building, originally designed in the late 1800s, has been continuously updated and expanded. It is known for its seasonal offerings and high-end clientele. Currently, it is part of the IKEA group, which acquired it in 2006, along with several other department store chains. Magasin du Nord also has a presence in Albertslund, a suburban area of Copenhagen, as well as other locations across Denmark.
Â
Illum, founded in 1891, is located in the heart of Copenhagen on Amagertorv, a pedestrian street in one of the city’s most exclusive shopping districts. Originally a small luxury goods store, it has evolved into a luxury shopping center featuring a selection of independent shops. It is owned by the Renaissance Copenhagen group, which maintains its high-end identity and is committed to enhancing the overall shopping experience. Illum is one of the few commercial establishments in Denmark that manages to elegantly combine fashion, home décor, and food, thanks to its high-quality restaurants and cafés.
Â
Salling, founded in 1906 in Aarhus by Fritz Salling, is another very popular department store chain in Denmark. The original store in Aarhus grew rapidly and became a landmark for Danish consumers. Today, Salling is also one of the leading supermarket retailers in the country. Compared to Illum, Salling is less focused on luxury but continues to offer an accessible and enjoyable shopping experience for all types of consumers. Salling has played a significant role in competing with Magasin in certain regions of Denmark, particularly in Jutland, where the chain has made a notable impact. This competition has led to the closure of several Magasin stores in various Danish cities.
Â
Finland
Helsingin Kauppahalli (Helsinki Market Hall):Â Although not a department store in the modern sense, Helsinki Market Hall is one of the most historic and iconic shopping destinations in the capital. Founded in 1889, this covered market is still in operation and represents a significant piece of Helsinki's commercial history.
Stockmann, founded in 1862Â by Herman Stockmann, is the largest department store in the Nordic countries. Its central location in Helsinki, particularly its famous flagship store on Aleksanterinkatu, makes it a true icon of Finnish retail. Despite facing challenges in recent years, Stockmann remains a pioneer in retail in Finland.
Sokos, owned by the cooperative S Group, is another major department store in Finland. Established in 1918, it has grown into a significant retail network with numerous outlets throughout the country. While Stockmann is regarded as the pioneer and icon of Finnish retail, Sokos emerged as a response to growing competition and has developed into a substantial chain, although it has not achieved the same size or international recognition as Stockmann.
Anttila, founded in 1952, is another historic chain that has significantly influenced the Finnish retail landscape. While it has a long tradition, Anttila has undergone various changes over the years and reduced its presence in the market.
Â
Ireland
Ireland has a long history of retail, and one of its most iconic examples of a department store is Delany's New Mart. Founded in 1850, Delany's New Mart is considered one of the first examples of a "purpose-built" department store in Europe. Located in Dublin, the store quickly became a landmark in Irish retail, offering a wide range of products from clothing to homeware. Its reopening as Clerys in 1922 (after the original building was destroyed during the Easter Rising of 1916) represents a pivotal chapter in the history of Irish retail. During the Rising, Clerys became one of the buildings that symbolized the citizens' occupation against British forces. The reopening of the store after this tragic event marked its rebirth as one of Dublin's leading shopping centers. Over the years, Clerys underwent several changes and renovations until its closure in 2015, when the building was acquired by a group of investors with the intention of renovating and reopening it under a new guise.
Â
On the other hand, Brown Thomas is one of Ireland's most important and historic luxury department stores. Founded in 1849, Brown Thomas is known for offering an exclusive assortment of international high-end fashion brands and luxury products. The flagship store is located in Dublin, but the chain also has locations in other cities, such as Cork, Limerick, and Galway.
Another key moment in the brand's history was the acquisition of the Switzers chain in 1995, which further strengthened its position in the luxury market. With its focus on exclusive brands and a premium shopping experience, Brown Thomas has become a symbol of prestige for both Irish and international consumers. In 2006, Brown Thomas was acquired by the Selfridges Group, which brought further international visibility to the brand.
Â
NorwayIn Norway, the three main department stores in Oslo—Christiania Glasmagasin, Steen & Strøm, and Illums—have been major retail hubs. Steen & Strøm is one of the oldest and most prestigious, while Illums, although not a traditional department store, is often perceived as such due to its mix of luxury retailers.
Â
PortugalIn Portugal, the historic chains Armazéns Grandella and Grandes Armazéns do Chiado were destroyed in the great Chiado fire of 1988. The current Portuguese retail landscape is dominated by El Corte Inglés, with stores in Lisbon and Porto. This shift reflects the growing presence of shopping malls and supermarkets in Portugal.
Â
SwedenÅhléns is the largest department store chain in Sweden, boasting its flagship store in Stockholm. Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) is another prominent name, known for its prime location and high-end product offerings. PUB, once a successful department store, closed in 2015.
Â
SwitzerlandSwitzerland has a unique retail landscape dominated by the cooperatives Migros and Coop. This phenomenon is notable because these two entities not only dominate the supermarket sector but also the department store sector, thanks to their ability to combine low-cost products with high-quality offerings.
Â
Migros, the largest retail chain in Switzerland, also operates Globus, a chain of high-end department stores. Founded in 1925, Globus offers a variety of luxury items ranging from fashion to homeware. In 2002, Coop acquired EPA, creating the Coop City brand, which serves as a direct competitor to Globus. Coop is also recognized for its extensive presence in the Swiss supermarket market. Another major player in the Swiss department store sector is Manor, which boasts a long history dating back to 1902.
Additionally, Jelmoli, another historic name, operates in Zurich, while Loeb is a department store chain based in Bern, also known for its high-quality retail offerings.
To be continued...
Comments