Till startsidan
sitemap
The mail order business that Clas Ohlson started in 1918 in Insjön is now an established European retail business. There are about three thousand staff working in Sweden, Norway, Finland and the UK who all follow our company motto “Making things easier for people to solve their everyday practical problems”. You are warmly welcome to read about the journey we have made, the future challenges we face and the values, concepts and responsibilities on which our business operations based.
Clas Ohlson is a rapidly expanding retail business with sales of over SEK 5 billion in Sweden, Norway, Finland and the UK. The Head Office lies in the same town where its business operation began in Insjön, Dalarna County. The company has been listed on Stockholm's Stock Exchange (OMX) since 1999.
Our Media Centre contains an overview of our press releases, current store openings, relevant company information and other news of interest. Images, video clips and important contact information are also found here. You are welcome to contact us regarding any of your media related requests. Ring our switchboard at +46 (0)247-444 00 or e-mail us with any queries at press@clasohlson.se
Do you share our view that helping people solve their everyday problems whether big or small is one of the most satisfying things one can do? Then Clas Ohlson may be the company for you with exciting multifaceted roles and job assignments on local, national and international levels. At Clas Ohlson the possibilities for advancement, training and personal development are endless.
There are several ways to contact us. Click on the link that best suites your needs and you will access your information more quickly. Uncertain about who to contact, call our main switchboard at +46 (0)247-444 00 or Customer Services at +46 (0)247-445 00 and you’ll receive the assistance that you need. We look forward to hearing from you!
It should always be easy and convenient to find what you need at Clas Ohlson. In Sweden and Norway, we sell a wide array of home, multimedia, electrical, leisure and hardware products both though our online store and by mail order. In both Finland and the UK, sales are conducted through our expanding retail network. All our purchasing, transport and goods are handled responsibly according to strict environmental and sustainability standards.
Clas Ohlson publishes yearly sustainability reports in August.
Reports and documents
Do you have comments on how we work with and report on sustainable development/CSR issues?
CSR feedback
Clas Ohlson sells a range of environmentally and socially responsible products.
Selected eco-products
Our sustainability work in practice
Sustainability case studies
Our purchasing Clas Ohlson’s purchasing department is one of the largest departments in the company. More than 100 people work in the department tasked with purchasing the 15,000 products included in the range. The purchasing department is divided into five sections, based on Clas Ohlson’s five product areas: Hardware, Home, Multimedia, Electrical and Leisure.
Those working on our product range include purchasing assistants, product assistants, product technicians, product managers and category managers. In specific terms, it involves finding the right product at the right price and quality and developing the cooperation with suppliers who can comply with our Code of Conduct.
Nina Rosén is one of the people working in Clas Ohlson’s purchasing department. She is product manager for about 1,500 products in gardening, nails/screws/fixings and fittings categories. She has worked for the company for a total of 21 years, two of which in her current role.
“If it involves a new supplier that we have not used in the past, a general review is conducted by ourselves or our agents to ascertain whether they comply with our overall requirements placed on quality, delivery capacity and potential to meet the demands of our Code of Conduct.
“The next step is to examine the product features, quality and price level. We order test products that are studied, tested and assessed by our skilled engineers in Insjön. If the product tests and price are considered satisfactory, a preliminary decision is taken to include the product in the range. A new supplier must sign our Code of Conduct and before an order is placed, we or one of our agents must have visited the factory to confirm that it meets our requirements (Short Facility Assessment).
“The final step is to place the actual order and manage all the administration associated with the purchase and delivery. Products from Asia are mainly transported by sea to Gothenburg and then onward to the distribution centre in Insjön. Since it takes at least four months from when an order is place to when it is delivered, it is necessary to plan well in advance to ensure that the goods reach the stores at the right time, neither too early nor too late.”
“We work closely together and participate in various parts of the process. We meet our manufactures at various stages in the purchasing and auditing process and communicate regularly when various questions arise. All product managers at Clas Ohlson participate in an audit to learn the procedure and to be able to contribute to the Code of Conduct process when we perform site visits.
“Prior to placing orders with existing suppliers, we can also view the status of a supplier through a colour-coding system that indicates any shortcomings that may have been highlighted in recent audits. This allows me as the purchaser to make a comprehensive evaluation concerning the selection of supplier taking into consideration price, quality of the products, and the factory’s progress in the areas of environment and working conditions.
“In our role as a purchaser, we receive training in social issues. Our agents, who assist us in our purchasing work in Asia, are experienced and also provide us with effective support. I feel that I am part of the process and can make a difference. We are currently working on generally developing our work tools and administrative support in the purchasing process, particularly with respect to our work on our Code of Conduct.”
