JYSK is expanding in the Western Balkans by taking direct control of 25 stores in Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia, bringing three markets that have so far operated through a franchise partner into the Danish retailer’s own organisation.
The company announced the agreement on 6 October. The acquisition covers 12 stores in Kosovo, six in Albania and seven in North Macedonia, as well as the existing local organisations and employees.
The takeover is expected to take effect on 1 January 2027, subject to regulatory approval.
JYSK is taking existing markets under direct control
The deal does not mark JYSK’s entry into the three countries. The Danish home furnishing retailer has operated in Kosovo since 2004, North Macedonia since 2008 and Albania since 2015, but until now through a franchise partnership.
The acquisition therefore represents a change in how JYSK operates in the region. The company says bringing the businesses into its own organisation will allow it to invest directly in the stores, employees and future expansion.
JYSK President and CEO Rami Jensen said the three markets had performed successfully and still offered room for further growth.
“We believe there is significant potential to grow the JYSK brand even further by bringing the countries into our own organisation, where we will invest directly in future expansion, our stores and the employees.”
JYSK says it intends to open additional stores after the takeover and strengthen its presence across the three countries. Existing stores will continue operating as usual while the transaction is completed.
A wider expansion strategy
The move comes during a period of rapid international expansion for the Danish company. JYSK reported DKK 52.3 billion (€7.0 billion) in turnover in the 2025/26 financial year, an increase of 12.9% from the previous year.
The retailer also opened 168 new stores during the year, its highest number of new openings in a single financial year. According to JYSK’s latest results, the company now operates more than 3,700 stores and webshops across 49 countries.
JYSK was founded in Aarhus in 1979 by Danish businessman Lars Larsen and remains part of the family-owned Lars Larsen Group. It currently employs around 34,000 people worldwide.
The acquisition in Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia strengthens JYSK’s direct presence in southeastern Europe while allowing the company to build on businesses that have already operated under its brand for more than a decade.
