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On this episode of Talking Shop I’m joined by Alain Bejjani—former Group CEO of Middle East retail giant Majid Al Futtaim, and author of the definitive new book, NEXT: Leading Through the New Realities. Drawing on his childhood in war-torn Beirut, and his experience steering a $9.5bn dollar retail and lifestyle empire through a global pandemic, Alain brings an unmatched perspective on leadership under pressure. Today, we break down his crisis survival playbook for retailers operating in distress. We discuss why resilience must always outpace efficiency, the four assets a brand must protect at all costs, and how to turn macro-turmoil into a long-term direction that scales.

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Danish homewares brand Søstrene Grene is set to expand into Italy and Poland in 2026, as it plans to operate 500 stores by 2027.

The news comes on the heels of the group’s strong trading across the UK and wider European markets. 

According to Søstrene Grene, it expects to deliver a “record” financial year for both revenue and profit.

The new markets will be supported by local e-commerce platforms from launch. 

Online shops will also open in Finland and Spain, where the brand previously operated physical stores. In Spain, Søstrene Grene will relaunch with an online-only model.

In addition, the group is investing in infrastructure to support its expansion, including a new 45,000-square-metre logistics centre in the Netherlands and a global SAP rollout.

The company has also created a venture team to explore new business models and retail formats. A pilot store, Lillesøster (Little Sister), featuring a compact, high-frequency layout, is due to open in Zurich this summer.

Mikkel Grene, chief executive and co-owner, said that the expansion strategy reflected “sustained demand for design-led, affordable homewares” and growing interest in in-store experiences.

He said: “Despite ongoing economic headwinds, we continue to see strong footfall and engagement across our stores. We believe in the long-term relevance of physical retail – especially when it offers discovery, inspiration and emotional connection.

“We’ve just closed our financial year, and while final figures are pending, we expect record results on both revenue and profit. That performance gives us the foundation to keep investing in long-term growth, innovation and customer experience.”

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