Swedish Retailer to Open 200 Stores in the U.K.

Clas Ohlson, a Swedish retail chain, plans to open 200 additional stores in the U.K. The retailer specializes in hardware, electrical, multimedia and home and leisure products. Seven stores have recently opened in the U.K. in former Woolworths and Zavvi locations. An eighth store is slated to open this year in Dudley, followed by nine more during the company's current financial year. Currently, Clas Ohlson operates 122 stores in Sweden, Norway, Finland and the U.K. The retailer also distributes 6.2 million mail order catalogs worldwide. It is the third largest retailer in Sweden, behing Ikea and H&M.