Our story

In 1975, Troels Holch Povlsen and Merete Bech Povlsen open a clothing store in the small Danish town of Ringkøbing. The business expands and in 1980 they buy a store in Aarhus called BESTSELLER which also becomes the name of the company.

BESTSELLER enters the Chinese market with the establishment of Bestseller Fashion Group China. Today, the company owns more than 6,500 branded chain stores and concept stores in China and is considered market leader in the mid-market for apparel.

Anders Holch Povlsen takes over the BESTSELLER family business and Troels establishes MTHP A/S which encompasses all the activities that concern properties, foundations and CSR projects.  

Purchased in 1999, the historical Customs House in Horsens goes through careful renovation, bringing the building back to its former glory and allowing several MTHP and BESTSELLER companies to move into new and beautiful surroundings in 2001. 

Troels and Rolf Hay discover a shared passion for design and start a new business adventure by forming the design brand HAY. The company quickly grows into a global brand changing the world’s view of Scandinavian design by making it accessible to everyone. 

MTHP establishes buying offices in China and Turkey with the purpose of supplying BESTSELLER and HAY with customised brand identity products and retail solutions. 

A prominent building in the old Frederiksstaden Quarter of Copenhagen, Lindencrone Mansion is a listed property with a rich history. In 2006, the original spirit of the building is revived after thoughtful renovation, now providing inspiring settings for events such as Copenhagen Fashion Week and 3 Days of Design.   

At Højbrohus, one of Nine United’s most prominent buildings located at the heart of Copenhagen, HAY opens its flagship store HAY House.

Starting in 2012, Nine United builds strong sales organisations in Europe and Asia opening showrooms in several major European and Chinese cities as well as partner stores across the Asia Pacific region.

The number nine has always followed Troels as a stroke of good luck and in 2014, MTHP is renamed Nine United to emphasise shared values and shared spirit. 

Studio 9 is established in Denmark as part of Nine United’s sourcing setup in China and Turkey to build closeness to BESTSELLER and other customers when designing and supplying retail branding solutions. 

The up-and-coming design brand &Tradition is welcomed into the Nine United family, expanding the Nine United range of design furniture, lighting and home accessories with icons from past masters as well as modern classics. 

The non-profit foundation MTHP Fond facilitates its first workshop in collaboration with a Danish shelter for children and young adults. The workshop brings together professionals from social organisations and projects as well as the public sector to bridge understanding, share knowledge and connect people for the benefit of children living in difficult conditions. The MTHP Fond workshop has become an yearly recurring event with new collaborations and topics every year.

HAY’s success opens the door to new opportunities and markets, and a partnership with American furniture company Herman Miller is formed. In 2019, Nine United transfers its remaining shares to Herman Miller but continues to hold the sales rights in the Asia-Pacific region. 

New opportunities arise in 2019 when online furniture and homeware retailer Ambiente Direct becomes part of the family allowing Nine United to enter into the ecommerce market. In the following years, online shops Connox and Flinders follow and the three companies join forces as Connox Design Family to provide consulting and furnishing concepts for commercial spaces. 

Nine United’s well-established sourcing network of trusted partners in Asia provides an opportunity to assist the Danish government in securing personal protective equipment during the Covid pandemic, and the company Nine United Care is established. In 2023, the company is renamed Nine United Trading as the scope of products is broadened to include a wide variety of household appliances and consumer goods.

Jacobsen Plus is welcomed in the Nine United family and expands with a store on Copenhagen’s main shopping street and a shop in Aarhus soon thereafter. At the shop in Aarhus, the company introduces a new retail concept called INFLUarea inviting selected influencers to style prominent areas in the shop.