Danish global home retail brand JYSK, often referred to as the rival for Swedish home brand IKEA, will open 15 stores across Ireland in the next two years, creating more than 200 jobs, it has been reported.

Founded in Denmark in 1979 by Lars Larsen, over the past four decades JYSK has expanded to 51 countries with more than 2,700 stores worldwide employing 23,000 people. In Germany and Austria the stores are called Dänisches Bettenlager – in the rest of the world it is known as JYSK.

The first Irish store will open in Naas, Kildare in April, with two further stores opening in Drogheda, Louth and Navan, Meath in May, and a fourth store opening in Portlaoise, Laois opening during the summer.

Head of retail, Roni Tuominen, said Ireland is a very important market for JYSK, given the prominent position the retail industry holds in the country for employment and the economy. "As a company, we focus on entering a new market each year, and we are excited that 2019 is the year we bring our brand to Ireland. We will open here with our latest concept stores and deliver exceptional quality products at great prices to Irish consumers," he said.