Affordable European store opens first Canadian location in Toronto

A teeny-tiny, handheld washing machine intended to make makeup sponges squeaky clean, a beachy cocktail glass with a palm tree stem (complete with two teensy coconuts), snacks and fruit-adorned outdoor platters are just some of the goods available at a brand new home goods store that has officially crossed the pond. 

Yesterday, a well-known Danish variety store that sells home goods, toys, games, office supplies, party decor, sports equipment, accessories and more officially opened its first Canadian location in Toronto. 

Flying Tiger Copenhagen, which operates over 1,000 locations worldwide, recently provided some shoppers with a sneak peek at its brand-new Eaton Centre location, showcasing a brand that aims to bring “a touch of Scandinavian charm to the Canadian market.” 

The chain, founded in Copenhagen in 1995, is known for its affordable and “design-led” everyday products, some of which have won design awards. According to the brand’s website, 46 percent of its offerings are made from renewable sources, and 96 percent of its products are stored in recyclable packaging.

When asked why Flying Tiger chose Canada as the site of its first North American store, Eithne Lavin, general manager of Flying Tiger Copenhagen Canada, said the country is a perfect fit. 

“ Why not Canada? It’s the 45th country we are in now and it’s part of the global expansion plan,” Lavin tells INsauga.com.

“It’s such a wide, diverse market. Seasonality is a big thing in Canada and we’re going to have campaigns that change with 300 new products every month.” 

One thing that’s striking about the brand is its price point, especially since many of the products–ranging from delicate, decorative glassware to aesthetically pleasing stationery–look expensive. 

“We make [our products] accessible for everybody and we don’t compare ourselves. We offer this unique experience. It’s the design, it’s the value, and it’s the in-store experience. So we feel like we’re unique on the market,” Lavin says, adding that about 10 per cent of the 1,800 products on offer are under $10. 

With Canadian shoppers feeling squeezed financially, a new home goods store with affordable everyday products could entice them to splurge on items that are ultimately fun rather than necessary. 

“ We price for the market. As we say, ‘Enrich your life, it doesn’t cost a fortune.’ We want people to have fun elements and we are priced for that,” Lavin says. 

Some of the decidedly fun offerings include a baby blue ‘washing machine’ that cleans makeup sponges (with Lavin says is one of the brand’s top sellers), jewellery boxes that look like floral sofas and handheld fans shaped like dog paws and teddy bears. 

The store also offers ample paper products (perfect for crafty types or for when back-to-school shopping begins), seasonal dishware and tons of toys, including real gardening tools, sporting equipment and puzzles. 

Lavin says that as of now, products are not available online.  

“You have to come and explore, test drive, touch, and see, and you’ll see that they are so fun,” she says. 

And while many of the staple goods aren’t unfamiliar to Canadian shoppers, Lavin says the Scandinavian design is novel to the market and that the company is unique in the sense that it doesn’t shy away from celebrating its team, choosing to hang pictures of company workers on the walls.

“It’s truly Scandinavian, with products designed in Copenhagen by the team in Copenhagen. You see a picture of our head designer on the end here. We like to bring the people who create the products. You can see the name of each person and what they do,” she says. 

While the store has only just opened, Lavin says the feedback has been hugely positive. 

“ The feedback that we have had is what we’re seeing on our social channels. People are genuinely excited about it.” 

As for what’s next, Flying Tiger Copenhagen has said its initial expansion phase will focus on the Greater Toronto Area, with new stores planned for Square One in Mississauga, Vaughan Mills in Vaughan, Markville in Markham and Scarborough Town Centre. 

The openings are slated to take place throughout the summer and the second half of 2026.