‘Little Ikea’ homeware store opening more shops in UK – prices start from 40p

22 August 2023 , 14:56

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The Danish chain plans to open more stores in the UK over the next few months (Image: Derbion / Søstrene Grene)

Danish homeware furnishings chain Søstrene Grene is continuing its expansion across the UK with many coining it the "little Ikea" because of its low prices.

Søstrene Grene has built a reputation for selling affordable homeware bits and bobs in the Danish "hygge" aesthetic which means a "special state of contentment, warmth and belonging to the present". Bits sold by the retailer include furniture such as chairs, rugs, side tables and bookshelves, stationery, hobby items, children’s toys, and kitchen and garden accessories.

Founded by the husband and wife team Inger Grene and Knud Cresten Vaupell Olsen in Denmark in 1973, Søstrene Grene operates across 16 countries around the world and according to its store finder tool, it currently has 20 stores across the UK and Ireland. The retailer mainly has a large European presence, with stores in many major cities, including: Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, Dublin, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen.

Most recently it announced it will be opening stores in London, York and in Woking after only recently bringing a store to Sheffield at the end of July. The Danish retailer plans on opening a further five to ten stores over the final few months of the year, so one may pop up near you very soon.

The retailer appears to be mostly opening stores on the British high street rather than the out-of-town retail parks which makes them a little different to their Ikea rival - although the Swedish chain has been opening more stores in city centre locations over the last few years.

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Søstrene Grene stores have been popping up on British high streets over the last few years (Søstrene Grene)

The brand prides itself on setting prices that are never higher than they need to be. Bargains shown on the website start from just 40p - although that was just for a greeting card. However, pastel-coloured candles are only priced at just 80p. The surprising bargains continue in the kitchen section too, with things like glass and wooden jars in various sizes for around the £4 mark.

Obviously, bigger furniture pieces are going to be much more expensive however they are truly not extortionate with a desk retailed at £74.90. and a side table at £27,70. Sadly, larger furnishings such as beds, wardrobes, couches and dining tables are not sold at the retailer as they do tend to focus on the smaller trinkets. This means Ikea will still have some legs to stand on there.

The next new store opening for the Søstrene Grene will be in Kingston Upon Thames on Friday, August 25 with another opening the week after in Bracknell on Friday, September 1.

Full list of UK Søstrene Grene stores

1. Nottingham
2. Chester
3. Altrincham
4. Manchester
5. Derby
6. Sheffield
7. Bangor
8. Belfast
9. Newry
10. Glasgow
11. Newbury
12. Wandsworth
13. Cheltenham
14. High Wycombe
15. Kingston - to open Friday, August 25
16. Bracknell - to open Friday, September 1

Ruby Flanagan