Denmark-based?furniture retail giant JYSK Group said yesterday that it will set up China headquarters in Shanghai and plans to open 500 stores across the country.

The company said its first batch of six stores to 10 stores will open in Shanghai before the end of next year, ranging from 1,000 square meters to 1,500 square meters.

"With the good condition of our capital flow, it's a good opportunity for us to increase investment in a bid to grow our market share globally while others may be hurt by the financial crisis," said Jakob Sonnenberg, China manager of JYSK Holding.

Sonnenberg said the firm is expecting to make profits shortly after the launch of its new stores and is confident China's furniture retail market has room for its outlets.

Industry insiders said JYSK could put pressure on Swedish furniture retail giant IKEA as it will aim to offer Chinese consumers more convenient store locations.

IKEA opened its first store in China in 1998 and now runs eight stores across the country. Average IKEA stores cover 17,000 square meters and offer nearly 10,000 products. But IKEA recently closed three trading companies in China as part of a restructuring plan.

(Shanghai Daily May 26, 2009)