Ever wondered about the secrets held within Ahlens City’s walls? Ahlens City isn’t just a department store. It’s a living testament to Swedish retail history.
This iconic Stockholm landmark began not as a bustling department store but as a mail-order business. Johan Petter Ahlén and Erik Holm founded Ahlén och Holm in 1899 in the small town of Insjön. Their first product a print of the royal family was a phenomenal success. Over 100000 copies sold. The company flourished. After just ten years it boasted 1.5 million SEK in sales and 255 employees.
In 1915 Ahlén moved his rapidly growing company to Stockholm. He secured a massive seven-story building. This foresight laid the groundwork for the retail giant we know today. Ahlens’s ambition didn’t stop there. In 1932 Ahlén established Tempo a department store emphasizing low prices. It opened on Östermalmstorg. This marked a pivotal shift from mail order to physical retail. Sadly Ahlén passed away in 1939 leaving the legacy to his son. By 1945 Ahléns and Holm celebrated its 50th anniversary with a staggering 87 million SEK worth and over 2700 employees.
The mail-order business eventually closed in the 1960s. Ahlens City opened its doors in 1964 right in the heart of Stockholm. The store’s location near T-Centralen station made it easily accessible. In 1985 all Tempo stores rebranded as Ahlens. The department store continued its evolution.
Ahlens City is more than just shopping. It hosts a tourist information center. This provides invaluable assistance for visitors navigating Stockholm. It’s also a culinary destination. Multiple restaurants cater to hungry shoppers. Ahlens City boasts Scandinavia’s largest beauty department. This is a testament to their commitment to beauty and personal care. This flagship store is a must-visit for any visitor to Stockholm. It’s a journey through time a reflection of Swedish retail evolution. Ahlens City stands as a vibrant symbol of Stockholm’s rich commercial heritage. It remains a shopping destination a cultural landmark a piece of Stockholm’s living history.