HISTORY

The history of ILVA stretches all the way back to the beginning of the 1950s when a small furniture shop called "JL Möbler og Taepper" opened in downtown Copenhagen.

Throughout the 1950s more small furniture shops sprung up in and around Copenhagen. At that time, most furniture shops were rather small and the advent of the large furniture stores of the size we are familiar with today was still a long way off.

1974:
Opening of the first furniture store in Ishöj, Denmark.
"JL Möbler og Taepper" opened its first 10,000 m2 furniture store in the then less densely populated southern Copenhagen. The furniture store was the first of its kind in Denmark, and it would revolutionise the way businesses merchandised and sold their products. At this time the furniture catalogue also became part of Danish everyday life.

1977:
"JL Möbler og Taepper" changes its name to ILVA.

1987:
ILVA opens in Aarhus. The opening of an ILVA store in Skejby, just north of Aarhus.

1989:
ILVA opens in Lyngby. ILVA opens a small furniture store behind the church in the idyllic town of Lyngby, north of Copenhagen.

1993:
A new furniture store is constructed in Aarhus. A new and very exciting step was taken when construction ended on the brand-new furniture store in 1993.

The new store was built from the ground up with the help of the famous local architectural firm Schmidt, Hammer & Lassen. The building has since won awards for its fantastic architecture and has often been cited as one of Northern Europe's most beautiful furniture stores.

The opening of the new ILVA store in Jutland led to a significant change in ILVA's marketing and business concept, situating ILVA in a new retail category due to the fashion-conscious design, high quality products, prompt delivery and unrivalled customer service. These values have been the cornerstones of our business at all ILVA stores ever since.
 
1996:
Renovation of the Lyngby store. As a result of thorough modernisation and expansion, the Lyngby store becomes one of the most modern furniture stores in Denmark.

1997:
Opening of the new central warehouse in Greve south of Copenhaggen. ILVA took yet another step towards becoming a large, modern furniture store with the opening of our 22,000 m2 central warehouse, distribution centre and management offices in Greve in 1997. ILVA's stock management and logistics improved significantly as a result.

1999:
Renovation/expansion of the Aarhus store. The Aarhus ILVA underwent expansion to increase its sales floor by 2,000 m2 to meet the demands of ILVA's increasing popularity.

2001:
Renovation/expansion of the Ishöj furniture store. ILVA's very first furniture store was completely rebuilt and expanded to include a further 4,000 m2. ILVA Ishöj is now Northern Europe's most modern furniture store with a total of 16,000 m2 of retail floor space.

2003:
Investment company Advent International partnered with Martin Toogood and Derek Maynard acquires ILVA with a view to expanding ILVA into Europe.

2005:
Marks the first step on European expansion with the opening of the new ILVA flagship store in Malmö, Sweden.

2006:
ILVA plans further expansion with 3 locations in the UK: In Thurrock, Manchester and Gateshead.

The first of the 3 stores opened in July at the Thurrock Retail Park. Setting new standards in home furnishings and accessories for the overall store design, layout, experience and product selection. Followed in September by Manchester and in November by Gateshead. Achieving 1/3rd of a million sqft of premium retail space in 90 days ILVA successfully translated its world class concept into the UK.

2007:
In August, Icelandic retail group Lagerinn purchased the majority holding in ILVA, assuming management of the company at the same time. Lagerinn’s vision is to continue the expansion of ILVA in the European market.

Lagerinn also owns the British retail chain The PIER and JYSK in Canada among others.

2008
ILVA Furniture Ltd was placed in administration on 25th June 2008.