A long-established Danish furniture store is set to close after 35 years in business. The owners, a husband-and-wife team, have decided to step away from the industry, bringing an end to a venture that began on a disused farm in 1989.
Photo: Vestmark.
Vestmark, the company behind the business, originally operated as a wholesale furniture supplier before transitioning to retail in 2012. The shift also saw a move away from budget-friendly furniture to a higher-end product range. In 2019, the store relocated to larger premises in Assens, offering 1,000 square metres of retail space to serve both private customers and hotels. A showroom in Helsingør followed in 2023 to cater to customers from Zealand.
Despite the owners stepping down, the business will not disappear entirely. An employee, Henrik Helsgaard, is set to take over operations, though the store will be rebranded under the name Life Haveliv, in line with its primary supplier, Life Outdoor Living. Helsgaard, who has worked at Vestmark for three years, stated: 'It's a bit nerve-wracking, but exciting that I'm now going to take over the store, and I'm looking forward to it.'
According to financial records from 2023, Vestmark had equity of DKK 1.2 million and posted a modest profit of DKK 31,766 after tax. This came after salaries totalling DKK 1.4 million were paid to its three employees.
The transition marks the end of an era for the company, which has been one of the few Danish retailers to sell garden furniture year-round.
Source: www.wood-supply.dk