JYSK, Fellbach (DE)

In 1984, Lars Larsen opened the first JYSK store in Germany, known in Danish as JYSK Sengetøjslager. In 2021, the company was rebranded as JYSK; today, there are 920 stores in Germany and over 3,500 across 50 countries worldwide. Customers will find everything they need to furnish their apartment or house there. When asked what the secret to their success is, Charlotte Beck, Regional Store Concept Manager for Southern Germany at JYSK, says: “With us, customers get a little piece of Scandinavia for their home, and that goes down well. The dealer network and the pleasant in-store atmosphere also play a major role.”

The Store Concept department, established in 2020, plays a key role in this, with Beck and her team continuing to develop these areas. The aim is for customers to have the same positive shopping experience in every store, every day. “Key factors here are the shop layout, functionality and visual standards – which also include cleanliness.”

As part of its realignment, JYSK has therefore worked with Kärcher to focus on the cleaning concept and identify areas for improvement. A key focus is on user-friendliness in every detail. For example, the all-purpose detergent RM 756 can be used for cleaning shelves as well as for floor cleaning. “We weren’t just impressed by the product, Kärcher also took our requirements into account regarding the size of the containers and the dosing units, so everything fits perfectly.”

A second key element is the switch from manual to machine cleaning. Floor cleaning is now carried out by the BR 35/12 scrubber dryer, supplemented by dry vacuum cleaners if required. Products designed for specific situations, such as the deep cleaning of stores due for refurbishment, round off the concept. “You learn a great deal from a project like this,” says Beck. “I was there when we cleaned heavily soiled floors using the BDS 43 single-disc machine – it was really impressive.”

The benefits of automated cleaning are clearly evident, for example, at the JYSK store in Fellbach, near Stuttgart. There, Alexander Zangara, Store Manager, is responsible for rolling out the cleaning concept. He explains: “In the past, one colleague would sweep or vacuum, whilst another would use a wiping mop and a bucket. It took two people several hours to clean the entire area.”

Today, there is just one colleague working across the more than 1,000 square metres of floor space; he starts by removing any heavy soiling and then gets to work with the scrubber dryer. “Staff numbers have been reduced by 50 per cent. This definitely boosts our productivity, as it leaves us with much more time to advise and support our customers.”

The roll-out of the cleaning concept is also currently full swing on an international scale. Beck greatly appreciates the fact that JYSK has found a true partner in Kärcher: “Kärcher offers a comprehensive package combining cleaning expertise with an understanding of operational processes, machinery and detergents. That’s exactly what we need.” This partnership will therefore form the basis for the next steps, as there are already plans for further improvements, such as automating floor cleaning using cleaning robots or solutions for cleaning in the outside area.