AB Lindex

Industry	Fashion
Founded	Alingsås, Sweden (1954)
Headquarters	Gothenburg , Sweden
Key people	Susanne Ehnbåge CEO
Products	Clothing, cosmetics
Revenue	650 Mil. EUR (2015)
Number of employees	5,000
Parent	Stockmann Abp

Lindex is a Swedish fashion chain within the Finnish Stockmann Group. The company has around 5000 employees and approximately 480 stores in 18 markets in the Nordic countries, the Baltic States, Central Europe and the Middle East. In addition to sales in store, Lindex also offers their fashion assortment via online shopping in 28 countries: all EU countries plus Norway. The company has had a rapid international expansion and sales growth. The assortment includes several different concepts within women's wear, lingerie, kids’ wear and cosmetics.

The history of Lindex

In 1954, Ingemar Boman and Bengt Rosell opened the lingerie store Fynd in Alingsås. Shortly thereafter, the Lindex company of Gothenburg was acquired, and this was the name then given in time to all the subsequent stores. During the sixties the lingerie selection was complemented by women's wear, in particular jumpers and blouses. Operations were expanded and the first Lindex store in Norway was opened.

During the seventies Lindex continued to grow in Sweden and Norway. The assortment was expanded and Lindex also became known for skirts and trousers as well as kids’ wear. The eighties meant major changes for Lindex and the expansion reached record levels. Major changes occurred in the buying routines, since almost all textile manufacturing moved abroad. Lindex now tested new markets such as Denmark, Great Britain and Finland, but by the end of the eighties, operations were focused on Sweden, Norway and Finland.

In 1993 Lindex opened its first production office in Hong Kong and the company started to carry out inspections to check that no child labour occurred at the suppliers. That same year, Lindex sold the fashion chain Gulins with 770 employees to the Norwegian Finansgruppen. The company's requirements on suppliers were increased and a code of conduct for all suppliers was introduced. During the nineties the company also started to make serious efforts with regard to environmental issues. In 1995 the Lindex Club was started - a club for all loyal customers. At the end of the nineties the trademark Fix was acquired, with colourful kids’ wear.

The beginning of the 21st century was characterized by huge international expansion. Lindex looked east and started its expansion in Central Europe and opened stores in the Baltic States, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 2007 the Finnish listed company Stockmann became the new owner of Lindex and with their help the Russian market opened up for Lindex. In 2008 Lindex opened its first store in St Petersburg and the following year the first Lindex store in Moscow was opened. In 2009 Lindex opened its first store in Slovakia. During the 2010s Lindex continues to focus on Central Europe. Stores are opened in Prague and Bratislava. Lindex is now one of Europe's largest fashion chains with approximately 480 stores and a turnover of 650 MEUR.

Organisation

Omni

Lindex started Shop Online in Sweden in 2007. In 2010 the Shop online was launched for Finland and 2011 it was launched in Norway and all EU countries.

Designer collaborations

2009-2011 Ewa Larsson

2010 Narciso Rodriguez

2011 Rachel Zoe - stylist collaboration

2012 Missoni

2013 Matthew Williamson

2014 Jean Paul Gaultier

Models

2005 Emma Wiklund

2007 Izabella Scorupco

2007 Alec Wek

2007 Mini Andén

2008 Caroline Winberg

2010-2011 Carmen Kass

2011 Reese Witherspoon

2012 Gwyneth Paltrow

2013 Penélope Cruz

2014 Kate Hudson

2014 Karen Elson

2016 Sienna Mieller

2016 Ashley Graham

Stores

See also

• List of Swedish companies

References