Department stores across the country are closed from Thursday. But some stores have found a way to stay open.
Department stores throughout Denmark are closing down today as a result of the government’s new restrictions.
But around the country, small shops in the malls are finding creative solutions to continue to be open to customers until Christmas.
In Esbjerg, an electronics store in the City Nord center is building an extra entrance to the street.
We have already ordered craftsmen to establish a new entrance behind the store facing Stormgade, says Jesper Boysen, CEO of Power, a chain of electronics stores, to JydskeVestkysten.
The new rules allow shops that have an entrance to the street to stay open.
Approved by fire authorities
The electronics store used a similar solution during the shutdown in the spring, a solution which was then approved by the fire authorities.
Jesper Boysen emphasizes that the business has a strong focus on safety.
– We have an employee in our entrance area who keeps a close eye on how many customers we close in, so there is plenty of room for everyone to shop safely. The employee also draws attention to the fact that the customer has the opportunity to receive a set of rubber gloves, so you can safely touch our exhibition models. After each customer, we take off hands, contacts and payment terminal and get ready for the next customer, says Jesper Boysen.
Similar solutions in Holstebro and Odense
And it is not only in Power that the creative solutions have been found. Several stores in the Nørreport Center in Holstebro are working on similar solutions, writes TV Midtvest.
– This is such an important week for our turnover, so I saw no other way than to get hold of the craftsmen and really just get started right away, says owner of the jeweler Nicolaisen, Alexander Ørum to TV Midtvest.
At the shoe store Skokjær in the center, the craftsmen are also up and running.
The Tøjforretningen Din Tøjmand in Tarup Center in northwestern Odense is working on a similar solution to be able to remain open until Christmas.
– This morning we have to find out how we do it. We have a door that opens to the parking lot, and we expect that we can get customers in, says store manager Henrik Østergaard to TV 2 Fyn .
Danish Detail: A disaster
The trade association Dansk Retail calls the closure of the shopping centers a disaster for ordinary business life in Denmark.
– It’s violent. It is a disaster and it hits us at the worst possible time of the year. Somewhere between 20 and 40 percent of the turnover must be picked up in the Christmas shopping, says Jens Birkeholm, CEO of Dansk Retail.
He thinks the malls should have had longer notice.
– Then you had the chance to talk to the government. It is my impression that no one has been heard. It came like lightning from a clear sky last night, says Jens Birkeholm.
