Dressmann

Dressmann is a Norwegian menswear chain owned by Varner, with its first store opened in Oslo in 1967. It operates several hundred stores, mainly in the Nordic countries and Germany.

What is Dressmann?

Dressmann is a Norwegian menswear retailer and brand. It is owned by the Norwegian family company Varner (Varner-Gruppen), which is its parent, and has its headquarters in Billingstad in the municipality of Asker.

History

According to public reference sources, Frank Varner opened the first Dressmann store in Oslo in 1967. The company was incorporated on 14 January 1988. Over the following decades the chain expanded beyond Norway.

Business model and distribution

Dressmann is primarily a store-based business, with a website at dressmann.com. Reference sources put the store total at roughly 430 to 480 across Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Iceland and Denmark, although the exact count varies by source and date.

• Markets today: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Iceland and Denmark
• Former markets: Latvia was served until 2014
• Austria: stores closed in 2020 after the Austrian subsidiary filed for insolvency

Why it matters

Dressmann is one of the best-known menswear chains in the Nordic region and a long-standing part of the Varner portfolio. Its expansion and later retreat from Latvia and Austria illustrate how even established Nordic chains have had to adjust their international footprint.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Dressmann?

Dressmann is owned by Varner, the Norwegian company also known as Varner-Gruppen. Varner is the parent company of the Dressmann business.

Where is Dressmann from?

Dressmann is a Norwegian brand. The first store opened in Oslo in 1967 and the company is headquartered in Billingstad, near Oslo.

All brands