Highest Stress Levels Caused by Smallest Household Jobs Says Swedish Home Improvement Experts

MANCHESTER - A survey of 800 Manchester consumers by Clas Ohlson, the modern hardware store from Sweden, reveals that residents find that its the little not the bigger jobs around the home that add most stress to their lives. Clas Ohlson will be opening a flagship store in The Arndale, central Manchester on Thursday 30th April.

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Clas Ohlson has been listening to local residents to find out what they need to make their homes run more smoothly. The survey reveals that residents ignore small jobs and these add to stress levels of modern living.

The Clas Ohlson Home Improvement Survey of Manchester residents, by Ipsos MORI, found:

- Half of people put off mending fixtures and fittings - Half of people are stressed by undone fixtures and fittings - Two thirds of people put off such jobs for up to 6 months - Over a third of people don’t do such jobs because they do not have the time

Clas Ohlson encourages households to ‘repair not replace’ fixture and fittings. This helps beat stress and keep down the cost-of-living. For example, fitting new hinges to mend a cupboard door, rather than buying a new unit. Managing Director of Clas Ohlson in the UK, Mark Gregory said:

‘The message is clear it’s the little jobs that make our lives more stressful. And Clas Ohlson is the answer to lowering such stress levels. Our knowledgeable staff and wide product range can take the stress out of shopping and running your home. We’ll make it easier to stay on top of the little jobs and save money by repairing today so you don’t have to replace tomorrow. Think of us as stress-busters!’

Clas Ohlson stores sell a unique combination of hardware and household items to help people in their homes and gardens. The flagship store in Manchester is carrying over 10,000 useful products from Clas Ohlson’s hardware, home, multimedia, electrical and leisure ranges.

Clas Ohlson has a 90 year heritage and over 100 stores across the Nordic region, where it has established a reputation for providing customers with helpful advice about practical solutions to everyday problems in our homes and gardens.

The Clas Ohlson store in Manchester will be followed by other branches in the UK. The goal is to have a total of 6-10 stores trading in the UK by the end of the financial year.

Notes to Editors

Clas Ohlson by numbers

Measure Statistic Number of Visitors per year 45 million Number of Stores Worldwide 105 Number of Staff Worldwide 3,000 Number of Countries 4 (Sweden, Norway, Finland and UK) Number of Catalogues Printed Worldwide 4 million Number of Products in Croydon store Over 10,000 Most expensive product in Croydon store GPS Alarm & Tracking System (GBP389) Least expensive product in Croydon store Multifit sink plug (GBP0.99) Proportion of Female Customers 40%

10 Point Guide to the Story of Clas Ohlson

Date Event 1918 Mr. Clas Ohlson started the business as a mail order company, based in Insjon, Sweden. He designed and sold things to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. 1980’s Clas Ohlson opened its first store in Insjon Sweden, until this point, its main trade had been mail order. 1985 Clas Ohlson began trading in Norway. At first, the business was strictly mail order. In 1991 the first Norwegian store opened in Oslo. 1999 Clas Ohlson listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange 2002 The first store opened in Finland. 2007/2008 Fiscal Clas Ohlson reported sales of approximately GBP400 million with 14% growth compared to the previous year. 2008 The first store opened in the UK (in Croydon).

MANCHESTER, April 30 /PRNewswire/ –

Contact:

Malcolm Gooderham, TLG Communications, +44-(0)207-379-3972

Rosie Lewis, TLG Communications, +44-(0)207-379-3972 / +44-(0)7866-685-147

Source: Clas Ohlson AB

Contact: Malcolm Gooderham, TLG Communications, +44-(0)207-379-3972. Rosie Lewis, TLG Communications, +44-(0)207-379-3972 / +44-(0)7866-685-147