Commerce & Services Denmark

Denmark has a variety of supermarket and hypermarket chains offering a wide range of products and price categories for consumers.

 

Salling Group: the largest retailer in Denmark; includes the following chains:

 

Netto: Discount stores offering a wide range of products at affordable prices; approximately 500 stores.

 

Føtex: Large supermarkets offering both food and non-food products.

 

Bilka: Hypermarkets offering a wide range of products, including electronics, clothing, and groceries.

 

Salling: Department stores offering premium goods and services.

 

 

Coop Danmark manages several well-known supermarket chains:

 

Fakta: Discount stores with a limited but carefully selected range of products at low prices.

 

Irma: Supermarkets focused on the premium segment; offering quality and organic products.

 

Kvickly: Supermarkets combining a wide range of food and non-food items.

 

Brugsen: Includes several store formats:

 

  - LokalBrugsen: Local stores serving smaller communities.

 

  - Dagli'Brugsen: Everyday stores offering essential goods.

 

  - SuperBrugsen: Large supermarkets with a wide range of food and household products.

 

 

International supermarket chains are also present in Denmark:

 

Aldi: German discount chain offering products at low prices.

 

Lidl: German chain known for affordable prices and a variety of products.

 

REMA 1000: Norwegian discount chain offering quality products.

 

Spar: International supermarket chain represented in Denmark, offering a wide range of products.

Below are the largest online stores popular among Danish shoppers:

Zalando: Leading European online retailer; specializes in selling clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Amazon: Does not have a local Danish website; many Danes actively use its services through international versions; vast selection of products — from electronics to books and household goods.

H&M: Offers online shopping through its Danish website; the range includes fashion clothing, accessories, and home goods at affordable prices.

Elgiganten: One of the largest electronics retailers in Denmark: offers a wide selection of appliances, electronics, and accessories.

Bilka.dk: Hypermarket chain offering a variety of products, including groceries, electronics, clothing, and home goods; allows purchases with home delivery or in-store pickup.

Nemlig.com: Popular online supermarket; specializes in delivering groceries and household items.

Coop.dk: Provides groceries, appliances, furniture, and other products.

Saxo.com: Denmark’s online bookstore; offers a wide range of books in Danish and other languages; also provides e-books and audiobooks.

In Denmark, postal services are provided by PostNord, which is responsible for the delivery of letters and parcels both domestically and internationally.

Main features of postal services in Denmark:

Diverse postal products

   - Letters: Include standard, registered, and express mail.

   - Parcels: Various delivery options are available, including pickup from collection points and home delivery. Parcels are tracked throughout their journey.

Digital solutions: The PostNord mobile app allows tracking shipments, purchasing postage stamps, and finding nearby post offices.

 Post offices are located across the country, providing a full range of postal services. Many shops and supermarkets partner with PostNord, offering parcel drop-off and pickup services, increasing the accessibility of postal services.

Delivery times

  Domestic mail: Standard letters are delivered within five working days, and express letters the next working day.

International mail: Delivery times depend on the destination country and the type of service chosen.

 

In Denmark, there are several international and local courier companies offering a wide range of logistics services.

International Courier Services

DHL Express: An international company; offers express delivery of documents and goods worldwide. 

UPS: An American courier company; specializes in express delivery and freight shipping.

FedEx: Offers a wide range of services for shipping documents and goods. 

Local Courier Services

DAO 365: A Danish courier company; specializes in parcel and newspaper delivery seven days a week.

Bring: A Scandinavian logistics company; offers solutions for businesses and private customers, including express delivery and logistics services.

GLS Denmark: Offers both domestic and international delivery.

In Denmark, telecommunications services, including television, internet, and telephone, are provided by several major companies, each offering a variety of packages and rates tailored to different user needs.

YouSee: The largest provider; offers comprehensive TV, internet, and phone services. Internet services range from basic to high-speed connections, and packages with fixed and mobile telephony are also available. 

Telenor Denmark: One of the leading mobile operators; offers fixed internet and television services. 

Stofa: Provides cable TV, internet, and phone services. 

Hiper: Specializes in high-speed internet access, offering competitive prices and stable connections.

Kviknet: Offers affordable internet services with a focus on easy connection and transparent pricing. 

 

Service features:

- Package offers: Many providers offer bundled packages including TV, internet, and phone services, which allows for cost savings and simplifies service management.

- Internet speed: High-speed internet connections, including fiber-optic networks offering speeds up to 1 Gbps, are widely available in Denmark. Providers offer different rates based on user needs.

- Television: Both basic packages with essential channels and expanded ones including international and themed channels are available. Many companies offer streaming and video-on-demand services.

- Mobile communication: Operators offer various tariff plans, including prepaid and postpaid options, with different data and minute volumes. 4G and 5G networks provide wide coverage and high data transfer speeds.

- Customer service: Most companies provide support in Danish and English, which facilitates interactions for immigrants.

Recommendations for immigrants:

Contract terms: Pay attention to contract duration, possible penalties for early termination, and conditions for tariff plan changes.

Ready Meal Delivery

Just Eat: The largest food ordering platform; connects many restaurants and cafes across the country. 

Wolt: An international delivery service; available in most Danish cities; in addition to restaurant food, offers the delivery of groceries and other goods. 

Foodora: Allows ordering food from nearby restaurants with fast delivery, often within 30 minutes. 

Roomservice: A popular platform for ordering takeaway food, offering a wide selection of restaurants and cuisines. 

 

Grocery Delivery

Nemlig.com: The largest online supermarket in Denmark, offering more than 9,000 product items. The site provides two types of delivery:

   - Flexible delivery: The driver leaves the order in your chosen location, and you do not need to be home.

   - Personal delivery: Delivery within a specific time frame with personal handover of the order. 

Coop.dk MAD: An online platform from one of Denmark's largest retail chains, offering delivery of groceries and home goods.

Meny.dk: A supermarket chain providing the option for online grocery ordering with home delivery.

 

Goods Delivery

Flagma.dk: An online catalog of goods and services in Denmark with the possibility of wholesale and retail purchase. Over 2,146 supplier stores offer delivery to any region.

In Denmark, the working hours of shops and services may vary depending on their type and location. Below is general information about the opening hours of various establishments:

Shops

Small shops: Usually open from Monday to Thursday from 9:00 or 10:00 to 17:30 or 18:00. On Fridays, they may be open until 19:00 or 20:00. On Saturdays, most such shops close at 13:00 or 14:00. They are generally closed on Sundays.

Large supermarkets and shopping centers: In major cities, such as Copenhagen, supermarkets often operate from 8:00 to 22:00 daily, including Saturdays and Sundays. However, they may be closed on public holidays, so it is advisable to check their schedule in advance.

Banks

Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 16:00. On Thursdays, the working day may be extended to 18:00. Banks are generally closed on weekends.

Government Agencies

Most government agencies start work at 8:00 and close at 16:00 or 17:00 from Monday to Friday. They are usually closed on weekends.

Restaurants and Cafes

Hours vary, but many restaurants and cafes are open daily from 11:00 to 22:00 or later. Establishments in tourist areas may stay open longer, especially on weekends.

Pharmacies

Usually open from Monday to Thursday from 9:30 to 17:30, on Fridays until 18:30, and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:00. Most pharmacies are closed on Sundays, but duty pharmacies provide 24-hour service.

Note that the operating hours of many establishments may change on public holidays. It is recommended to check the hours of specific places in advance, especially if planning a visit on weekends or holidays.

Local Danish Brands

Fashion and Clothing

  Ganni: A well-known brand offering modern women's clothing with unique designs.

  Bestseller: A large company owning brands like Vero Moda, Jack & Jones, and Only.

  Ecco: A globally famous footwear manufacturer that combines comfort and style.

 

Cosmetics

  Kjaer Weis: A brand specializing in premium organic makeup.

  Gosh Copenhagen: A company offering a wide range of decorative cosmetics and perfumes.

 

Furniture and Design

  BoConcept: A manufacturer of modern furniture and home accessories.

  Jysk: A chain of stores offering home goods and furniture at affordable prices.

 

International Brands

Fashion and Clothing

  H&M: The Swedish clothing store chain is widely represented in Denmark.

  Zara: A Spanish brand offering fashionable clothes and accessories.

 

Electronics

  Apple: An American company with official stores and distributors in Denmark.

  Samsung: A South Korean brand offering a wide range of electronics.

 

Automobiles

 Volkswagen: A German car manufacturer popular among Danish consumers.

  Toyota: A Japanese brand widely represented in the Danish market.

The Danish market is characterized by the combination of local brands with unique Scandinavian design and quality, along with the presence of international companies offering a variety of products and services to consumers.

Denmark is known for its unique culture and high standards of living. For immigrants, it is important to understand local traditions and customs to successfully integrate into society.

Friendliness and Equality

Informal Communication: Danes value simplicity and informality. First names are often used in communication, even in a business setting.

Equality: Society is oriented towards equality. Displays of arrogance or superiority are not welcomed.

Punctuality and Respect for Time

Precision: Being late is considered disrespectful. It is important to be on time for meetings and to adhere to agreed deadlines.

Planning: Danes value prior agreement for meetings and events.

Environmental Consciousness

Personal Bags: When going to a store, it is customary to bring your own bags or totes to reduce plastic usage.

Waste Sorting: Separate waste collection is the norm. Shops often have recycling points.

Cashless Payments

Electronic Payments: Denmark aims to become a cashless society. Cards and mobile apps are widely used.

Limited Use of Cash: Some establishments may not accept cash.

Prices and Taxes

High Price Level: The cost of goods and services in Denmark is above the European average.

Value Added Tax (VAT): VAT is already included in the prices. Non-EU residents may be eligible for a VAT refund upon leaving the country.

Service and Tips

Included Service: Service charges are included in the price. Tipping is not mandatory but can be given as a sign of gratitude.

Friendly Staff: Service staff are usually polite and ready to help.

Language Barrier

English Language: Most Danes speak fluent English, which makes communication easier for immigrants.

Danish Language: Knowing basic phrases in Danish is appreciated and shows respect for the culture.

Queues and Personal Space

Queues: It is customary to stand in line in an organized manner and respect others' personal space.

Respect for Privacy: Personal questions and intrusion into personal space are not welcome.

Culture of 'hygge'

Cozy and Comfortable: 'Hygge'—a concept of coziness and enjoyment of simple things. This is reflected in the atmosphere of cafes and shops.

Local Products: Local products, especially eco-friendly and organic items, are appreciated.

Winter Sale

Timing: Begins right after Christmas, usually on December 27th, and lasts until the end of January.

Discounts: In the first weeks, discounts may start at 20-30%, reaching up to 70% or more by the end of the month. However, popular items sell out quickly, so it's better to start shopping at the beginning of the sale.

Summer Sale

Timing: Usually starts in mid-June and continues until the end of July.

Discounts: Similar to winter discounts. At the start of the sale, they may be 20-30%, reaching 50-70% by the end.

Black Friday

Date: The last Friday of November, but promotions often last a whole week.

Discounts: Discounts can reach 50-70%, especially on electronics and household appliances. Many stores launch online sales, which allow for good deals even without visiting physical stores.

Cyber Monday

Date: The Monday immediately following Black Friday.

Discounts: Discounts often reach 50%, and some stores offer exclusive online deals (technology, gadgets, electronics, and computer accessories) not available in physical stores.

Mid-Season Sales

Timing: In spring (March-April) and autumn (September-October).

Discounts: Generally lower than seasonal sales, around 20-40%. These sales are a great opportunity to update your wardrobe without waiting for major sales events.

Christmas Discounts

Timing: Starting from mid-November until Christmas.

Discounts: Average discount levels are around 20-30% as these are pre-season sales. However, the closer to Christmas, the higher the chance of getting a discount.

Liberty Day

Date: May 5th.

Discounts: Special offers in some retail chains and online stores, especially on local and Danish brands.

Back to School and Start-of-School-Year Sales

Timing: August.

Discounts: Typically around 10-30%, but many retailers offer kits and promotional deals for students.

Denmark is known for its advanced waste management methods aimed at minimizing environmental impact. The country focuses on sustainable development by actively implementing innovative solutions in household waste recycling and disposal.

Main Principles of Waste Management System

Waste Management Hierarchy: Denmark adheres to the "4R" principle—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recovery of energy.

Separate Waste Collection: Citizens are required to sort waste into different categories, such as organic, paper, plastic, glass, and metal.

Deposit System: The system provides for a deposit return on the return of used bottles and cans, promoting reuse and recycling.

Practical Implementation

Municipal Programs: Each commune is responsible for organizing waste collection and processing, providing residents with containers for separate collection and information about the disposal schedule.

Collection Points: There are specialized centers where you can dispose of bulky or hazardous waste, such as electronics or chemicals.