Åhléns

Åhléns, formally Åhléns AB, is a Swedish retailer that operates a network of department stores under the Åhléns brand. The company offers products in fashion, beauty, home goods, and gifts, and maintains an online shop in addition to its brick-and-mortar stores. The stores are primarily located in Sweden, with flagship locations in major city centers.

The company traces its origins to 1899, when founders Johan Åhlén and Erik Holm established a mail-order business in Stockholm under the name Åhlén & Holm. The venture expanded into department stores during the 20th century. In the late 20th century, Åhléns became part of the Axel Johnson Group, a Swedish family-owned conglomerate, and the brand structure was reorganized under the Åhléns name.

Today, Åhléns operates both physical stores and an e-commerce platform, offering a range of products across fashion, beauty, home, and gifts. The stores emphasize Swedish design influences and occasionally feature collaborations with private label lines. The network includes city-center stores, commonly referred to as Åhléns City in several locations.

In terms of corporate structure, Åhléns is owned by the Axel Johnson Group, which holds several other retail brands in Sweden. The company is positioned as a traditional department store operator and competes with other Swedish and international retailers in the mid-market fashion, home, and lifestyle segments.