Empty storefronts spread across Denmark

Denmark has lost 1,170 physical retail stores in five years, with the decline hitting areas outside major cities hardest, according to an analysis by SMV Danmark, an advocacy group for small and medium-sized businesses.

The trend is visible in places like Greve Midtby Center, where seven empty units now sit among roughly 50 remaining shops. Anne Munch Nygaard, a shop assistant at the clothing store TIPPY, said the center has grown quieter as stores close.

“We’re really sad about it. More people came before, when there were more shops. It’s not just here, but we’re upset that it’s now affecting our small, cozy center,” she said.

Nationwide, the drop represents about 7.5 percent of retail outlets. Kasper Munk Rasmussen, industry chief at SMV Danmark, said the losses hurt local communities by eliminating jobs, apprenticeships, and the activity that makes areas attractive to live in.

“It’s become much harder to run a small shop today. Of course, online shopping is a factor, but there are also many regulations in Denmark that hold back the smallest businesses,” he said, adding that political support is needed to reverse the trend.