The Department Store (DVD, 2009)

Original Director:
Karin Falck (Original)
Starring:
Lena Endre, Christina Schollin, Rico Rönnbäck, Sven Holmberg
Genre:
Drama / Cult TV
Rating:
Intrigue and power plays at the Öhman department store.

We have followed the cult series "Varuhuset" (The Department Store), which originally aired on Swedish Television between 1987 and 1989, and has now been released on DVD in 12 parts. The story revolves around the elegant Öhmans department store in central Stockholm, a setting filled with intrigue and deception.

Chief executive Gustav Öhman is retiring and must appoint a successor. He bypasses his own daughter, Margareta, choosing instead the sales manager Karin Forss. This leaves Margareta absolutely furious and seeking revenge, making life incredibly difficult for the new CEO.

Meanwhile, major shrinkage is discovered in the warehouse, and staff members from high to low are involved in shady dealings. The situation is further complicated by the warehouse manager Bengt's struggle with alcoholism, and the numerous love affairs unfolding throughout the store.

"Cult" at its finest! Imagine Stockholm in 1987 and experience a truly different era!

The cast includes legendary Swedish actors such as Lena Endre, Christina Schollin, and Rico Rönnbäck.

Reviewed by Iva (March 2009)
Editor's Note (2026): Varuhuset was Sweden's first true modern soap opera, laying the groundwork for an entire genre in Swedish television history. Iva's review captures the wave of nostalgia that swept the country when the series was finally released on DVD in the late 2000s.

The Iva Bring-Johansson Collection Project

Originally produced as a weekly segment for HIT FM Stockholm, these reviews represent a lifetime of cinematic insight. Today, the archive is an evolving digital project, meticulously translating Iva’s original 1979–2021 work into English.

Our mission is to preserve this legacy while expanding our focus on Nordic Noir and Scandinavian Cinema. Stay tuned as we expand our reach into the shadows of the North.