Lindex

AB Lindex

Industry	Fashion
Founded	Alingsås, Sweden (1954)
Headquarters	Gothenburg, Sweden
Key people	Ingvar Larsson CEO
Products	Clothing, cosmetics
Revenue	650 MEUR (2015)
Number of employees	5,000
Website	www.lindex.com

Lindex is a Finnish owned fashion chain within the 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 Shop Online 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

The fashion assortment

Lindex offers a wide assortment with several fashion concepts within women's wear, kids’ wear, lingerie and cosmetics. Characteristic of Lindex fashion is good fit, quality, value for money with the right fashion feeling that is produced in a sustainable and responsible way. Lindex fashion has a clear Scandinavian heritage that influences the design of the garments.

Sustainability

Lindex sustainability ambition is that: “Lindex will be recognized as a leading fashion retailer, known as one of the most sustainable, open and trusted companies in the industry. We want to be the company that has gone beyond business as usual and sought to drive change. By being innovative, transparent and act to create a positive impact, we will create a sustainable difference together with our suppliers, partners and customers.”

Lindex sustainability goal is that 80 percent of the assortment will be more sustainable by 2020.

Lindex publishes their sustainability report annually, where the company describes its sustainability work, the progress that has been made during the year and the challenges the company faces. The report is published in April each year on Lindex website.

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. Lindex offers the customer a coherent shopping experience between physical stores and Shop Online. E.g. the customer can order a Lindex garment online and choose to pick it up in the closest Lindex store.

Awards

2006 Marketing Manager of the year (Johan Hallin)

2008 HR Manager of the year (Sofia Brax)

2009 Interior concept of the year, Habit modegala

2009 Fashion chain of the year, Habit modegala

2013 Fashion chain of the year, Habit modegala

2015 Sustainability prize of the year (SWAR), Habit Modegala

2016 CEO of the year, (Ingvar Larsson), Chefsgalan

2017 Omni-channel of the year, Jetshop Awards

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

External links

• Lindex