Update from our CEO: Welcome back
Dear colleagues,
First of all a warm welcome back to those of you who have had an involuntary break from work due to coronavirus and the closing of many of our stores.
I am very happy that most stores are now open again, and that it is possible to welcome customers back into our stores and give them a great experience.
But it is also important to be aware that much has changed. Our behaviour in the stores, both in regard to our colleagues and our customers, has changed. We have to keep distance, and it is no longer polite to shake hands, which I personally still find hard to remember when meeting new JYSK colleagues or partners.
In some countries you also have to wear masks or gloves, and we have physically made changes to all of our stores to protect customers and employees.
This is hard to get used to, but luckily that is all it is.
JYSK will bounce back
For others it is much worse.
What began as a health issue quickly evolved into a worldwide financial crisis, and many stores, cafés, restaurants and other businesses have been forced to close, and many will not reopen.
This affects all of us, and we have no idea when our economy will be back at a normal level.
However, I have no doubt that JYSK will bounce back quickly.
Wherever we have reopened stores, we have had high sales, and it is obvious that our customers have missed you and your great service.
Keep growing
Therefore I am also happy that in JYSK we have chosen to send home employees temporarily during the shutdown instead of carrying out massive layoffs, which has unfortunately been the case in some other companies.
This is because we believe that we will need all of you to keep expanding JYSK once everything is back to normal.
The management team has certainly not experienced anything that reduces our belief in JYSK´s ability to grow and stay successful in the long run.
To the contrary, a time of crisis is when strong companies rise, and based on our strong values and great efforts by all of you, we have so far proved that we are among the best when times are tough.
Welcome back.
Best regards,
Jan Bøgh
CEO & President, JYSK
