The Belgian home shopping market is undergoing a major shift: a leading chain is acquiring nine existing stores from its Dutch competitor, Leen Bakker, while also opening seven new branches in strategic locations. This expansion significantly increases its store count, further strengthening the chain's national presence.
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At issue in this one is JYSK, which has been operating in Belgium since 2017. The chain currently has 70 stores in the country, but with the acquisitions and new openings, the number of shops will rise to at least 86 in the next financial year, with the ambition to eventually reach 125 stores.
The nine shops to be acquired are among Leen Bakker's 44 Belgian branches, which were put up for sale at the end of August. The acquisition also includes staff, with JYSK aiming to take over at least half of the existing employment contracts. The branches concerned are located in Bruges, Dendermonde and Kuurne, among others. According to HR manager Lana Mannaerts, the takeover will offer employees the opportunity to progress in the JYSK system through organised job interviews.
In addition, JYSK will open seven new shops on sites of hypermarket chain Cora, including in Anderlecht and Woluwe. The sites are being developed by Mitiska REIM, which announced in early September that it was investing over €80 million to develop the sites into shopping centres. The first shops on these sites are expected before the summer of 2026.
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With this expansion, JYSK's workforce in Belgium will grow from around 800 to almost 1,000 employees. Frank Christant, Country Director of JYSK Belgium, France and the Netherlands, stresses, "With the acquisition of Leen Bakker shops and expansion to Cora locations, we are taking a big step towards national coverage and strengthening our position as a leading home furnishing retailer in Belgium."
More information:
JYSK
www.jysk.nl
