Expert (company)
 | |
| Public | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1967 (as Intercop GmbH), 1971 (current name) |
| Headquarters | Zug, Switzerland |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Consumer electronics |
| Website |
www |
Expert International GmbH is a Swiss consumer electronics retail chain headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.
History
The Intercop GmbH was founded in Zurich, Switzerland on October 16, 1967 by initiative of Gunnar Nygren, representing the Swedish radio and TV-retailer association Samex and representatives of five other national retail organizations.[1] The company was renamed Expert International GmbH in 1971. Retailers from other countries began to join the group which led to the Expert trademark being internationally registered.[2]
In 1999 the Expert Global group was formed following a letter of intent being signed with Associated Volume Buyers Inc. from the USA and Cantrex from Canada.
In 2001 Betta Stores from Australia and New Zealand joined the Expert Global group.
On the 18th of September 2012 Expert International's Swedish subsidiary, Expert AB, filed for bankruptcy.
Operations
Expert has stores in 22 countries. Through subsidiaries, franchises and partially owned companies, the group has more than 7400 stores.[3]
Norway
In Norway there are 261 Expert stores with the brands Expert, Expert Bonus and El-Kjeden. Expert also owns 63% of the online store BestBuy. 60 stores are owned by Expert ASA.
Denmark
In Denmark Expert is the largest retailer in its segment through the subsidiary Elbodan. The company operates 445 stores, including Elbodan, Punk1, Expert and 2tal.
Sweden
In Sweden, Expert operated 222 stores throughout the country before the bankruptcy on 18 September 2012. However, Expert still operates a warehouse serving stores in neighbouring countries.
Faroe Islands
In the Faroe Islands Expert operates only 1 store.
Åland Islands
In Åland Expertin has 1 store in Mariehamn.
Finland
In Finland Expert operates 48 stores (Jan. 2016) throughout the country, after it bought 51% of Konepiste in 2007.
Estonia
In Estonia Expert operates 16 stores.
Belgium
In Belgium Expert operates 42 stores
Germany
In Germany Expert (expert AG Deutschland, Langenhagen) operates 430 stores.
Greece
In Greece Expert operates 24 stores.
Ireland
In Ireland there are 63 stores. Four of these stores are owned directly by Expert Ireland and the other 59 franchised out to independent retailers.
France
In France Expert operates 144 stores.
Austria
In Austria Expert operates 122 stores.
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic Expert operates 52 stores.
Iceland
In Iceland Expert currently has no stores.
Italy
In Italy Expert operates 292 stores.
The Netherlands
In The Netherlands Expert operates 150 stores.
Portugal
In Portugal, Expert is part of CODELPOR, a company part of the SUSIARTE GROUP. It operates 41 stores and it is expanding.
Spain
In Spain Expert operates 84 stores.
Slovakia
In Slovakia Expert operates 6 stores and more stores are planned.
Australia/New Zealand
Betta Electrical in Australia/New Zealand are part of the Expert Global Group and have 170 stores across the two countries.
Croatia
In Croatia Expert operates 5 stores and more stores are planned.
Hungary
In Hungary Expert operates 75 stores and more stores are planned.
External links
References
- ↑ "Grundade Expert-kedjan - Sydsvenskan". Sydsvenskan.se. 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
- ↑ "History". expert.org. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
- ↑ "Good To Know There Really Is Only One Expert.". expert.org. Retrieved 2014-04-19.