A marketplace for designers is emerging

The story of Designtorget began in 1993 with a large, neglected space on the ground floor of Kulturhuset in Stockholm. An architect was given the opportunity to do something with the space, and with a strong interest in culture, his thoughts immediately turned to all the designers and inventors who were unemployed during the recession. Thus, the idea of a marketplace for design and innovation was born, and Designtorget saw the light of day.

Since its inception, Designtorget has succeeded in maintaining a strong corporate culture where curiosity and creativity have shaped everything we do. Designtorget helps put Swedish designers on the map and inspires people from all corners of the world by consistently staying at the forefront of new design and innovation, as well as being the go-to gift shop.

Our vision of making Scandinavian design successful and accessible is at the heart of everything we do!

Designtorget since the beginning

• 1993 Designtorget is founded when a hopelessly empty space and a few pallets spark the idea of a marketplace for design and innovation. The first store opens at Kulturhuset in Stockholm

• 1996 Designtorget opens its second store in Gothenburg

• 1997 Designtorget opens its third store in Södermalm, Stockholm

• 2000 A store opens in Malmö

• 2001 Stores No. 5 and 6 open in Stockholm

• 2003 Novax invests in Designtorget

• 2006 Designtorget opens a store in Sickla

• 2007 Designtorget opens a store in Uppsala

• 2008 Designtorget launches e-commerce

• 2009 Designtorget opens its first airport store at Arlanda

• 2010 Designtorget opens a store on Kungsgatan in Stockholm

• 2011 Designtorget opens stores at the central stations in Stockholm and Gothenburg

• 2017: Designtorget’s e-commerce business grows and moves into new premises

• 2019: Designtorget is acquired as a subsidiary by Åhléns

• 2019: Designtorget’s first shop-in-shop opens at Åhléns Fridhemsplan

• 2020: An additional 11 Shop-in-Shops open at Åhléns department stores

• 2021: Designtorget opens a new store on Sergelgatan in Stockholm

• 2022: As of August 15, Ayad Al-Saffar is the owner of Åhléns, and thus also Designtorget’s new principal owner.

• 2023: We open our second store in Malmö, at Emporia

• 2023: Designtorget opens a store at Gränby Centrum in Uppsala

• 2023: Designtorget opens a store on Östra Hamngatan in Gothenburg

• 2024: Designtorget opens a store at Väla Shopping Center

• 2024: Designtorget opens a store at Asecs Shopping Center

The past 30 years have told a story. Now it’s time to write the next one.