Travelling to Sweden soon? NK is the one-stop spot for style-savvy visitors

Sweden’s NK department stores, located in Stockholm and Gothenburg, have always been at the forefront of innovating the Scandinavian shopping experience. From installing the country’s very first escalator (the must-see Stockholm attraction of 1915) to having style icons like Josephine Baker and Christian Dior wander its well-stocked halls, the ambition of this iconic department store is – and always has been – as crystal clear as the domed glass ceiling of its ‘Ljusgården’ courtyard – to be a commercial and cultural theatre. The natural meeting point for the city’s sartorially savvy set.

This shopping nave of Sweden has kept its footing as a fashion hotspot for more than 120 years. Operating under the slogan 'first with the latest', it was the first to launch jeans, Barbie dolls, Lego toys, nylon stockings, frozen vegetables, flat-pack furniture and TVs. Better yet, it has a history of hosting the most sought-after luxury brands – such as Balenciaga, Valentino, and Loewe.

But lauded pedigree and sought-after contemporary clothing brands aside, the beauty of NK is the offer of a plethora of experiences under one roof. From luxury shopping to delicious dining – from breakfast right through to dinner and drinks – you can easily spend a full day in these fashion fortresses.

If you were to ask the local tastemakers in Stockholm where they are most likely to start their days off, the majority would no doubt answer Heat by Sophia Lie’s infrared saunas in NK’s Stockholm department store. Like a biohacking oasis in the city desert, there’s no better place to begin your Stockholm beauty pilgrimage – naturally followed by a coffee at Art Bakery in Stockholm. If you're in Gothenburg, kick off your coffee-laden shopping spree in Brasserie La Belle.

With a carefully curated selection of local gems like Acne Studios, Toteme, and Teurn Studios, and international fashion houses such as Zegna, Tom Ford, Brunello Cucinelli, and Jacquemus, NK’s no-nonsense approach to the best in fashion covers both sleek minimalism and more avant-garde pursuits. Whether on the hunt for a new handbag – be it an iconic Acne Studio Musubi or a tiny Le Chiquito by Jacquemus – or browsing for a wardrobe update, we always find ourselves walking out with an armful of crisp white NK shopping bags.

Considering its long, lauded history, it is unsurprising that NK has established itself as one of the foremost destinations for luxury shopping in the Nordics. Here, you’ll find exclusive fashion and accessories, as well as beautiful jewellery and watches from some of the world’s most sought-after brands such as Loewe, Hermès, Saint Laurent, Burberry, Bulgari, Mulberry and Valentino. In Gothenburg, one can also find luxury brands such as Celine and Gucci. As such, there’s no better spot to experience the latest in luxury, be it to splurge on yourself or just to have a quick browse through.

With some of Sweden’s most extensive beauty departments, NK is the spot to update your bathroom cabinet. Not only will you find well-known product icons from beloved beauty brands like Byredo, Chanel, Dior, Aesop, and Charlotte Tilbury. You’ll also be able to discover exciting niche fragrances from the most interesting European perfumers. Not only is there a vast selection of beauty bits to shop, there are also ample beauty services to try in the department stores – spanning makeup sessions, brow lifts, hair trims and more.

If interiors are more to your liking, NK’s expansive home departments offer a treasure trove of universally adored designs from local and international brands. Scandinavian porcelain mingle with superbly soft designer bedding, while bits and baubles from the aesthetic masterminds of Skultuna, Orrefors, Georg Jensen, Hay, and Mateus make for great souvenirs.

While it is a Stockholm exclusive, there’s no better place to wrap up the day than NK’s vast market hall, with a wide range of local and international delicacies. You’ll find everything from fresh fish and seafood to freshly harvested vegetables and spices here, making your weekend meals that much more exciting. Having picked out your post-dinner cheeses among Androuet Ost’s extensive selection, why not finish with a fresh oyster and a Champagne cheers at Melanders Fisk?