BOLIST
BOLIST is a Swedish building materials retail chain with approximately 175 locally-entrepreneur-operated stores nationwide, serving professional tradespeople and DIY homeowners through physical retail, e-commerce, value-added services, and digital planning tools, under Mestergruppen Sverige AB.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersSolna, Sweden
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What BOLIST does
BOLIST is a Swedish building materials retail chain operating approximately 175 physical store locations nationwide, positioned as 'Sveriges närmaste byggvaruhus' (Sweden's nearest building materials store). Stores are owned and operated by independent local entrepreneurs under a shared brand, combining community-level service with the collective purchasing power, logistics, marketing, and digital infrastructure provided by parent company Mestergruppen Sverige AB, which also owns XL-BYGG and Järnia and constitutes Sweden's largest building materials retail group.
The core offering is the retail sale of construction materials, tools (power tools from DEWALT, HiKOKI, Hultafors, W.steps, Bostik, BOA), paints (Falu Vapen, Färberget), garden/outdoor products, and grills (Char-Broil, Dangrill), distributed through physical stores and the bolist.se e-commerce platform with 1–4 working-day delivery. BOLIST layers on value-added services for professional tradespeople (cutting, material calculation/mängdning, on-site delivery, apartment packing, quote requests, training) accessed through the BOLIST Proffs program and Proffswebben login portal, and digital planning tools for DIY consumers (Altanbyggaren deck configurator, Elitfönster window designer, Halle conservatory configurator, Vizcon building-permit-ready drawings).
The business model is hardware retail with standard unit pricing (e.g., SEK 249–3,990 examples), supplemented by campaign labels ('Pang Pris', 'Proffs Val'), free-shipping thresholds above SEK 999 online, and Klarna-based pay-later checkout. Revenue is generated across two customer segments — enterprise-style professional tradespeople and SMB/DIY consumers — with marketing executed through a content engine (DIY guides, the Bygglivet video series, supplier sponsorships), social channels (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok), and email/newsletter outreach. Strategic emphasis in recent years has been on store concept modernization, integration of the acquired Järnia brand into BOLIST Järnhandel, and the Byggstart program supporting next-generation building entrepreneurs.
BOLIST firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BOLIST
- Legal name
- Mestergruppen Logistik AB
- Website
- https://bolist.se
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- BOLIST is a Swedish building materials retail chain with approximately 175 locally-entrepreneur-operated stores nationwide, serving professional tradespeople and DIY homeowners through physical retail, e-commerce, value-added services, and digital planning tools, under Mestergruppen Sverige AB.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where BOLIST is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Solna
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
BOLIST business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Retail Sales (In-Store): BOLIST operates ~175 physical building material stores across Sweden, each run by independent local entrepreneurs under the BOLIST brand. Revenue is generated through the sale of building materials, tools, hardware, paint, garden products, and related items directly to consumers and professional tradespeople.
- E-commerce (bolist.se): Online sales through bolist.se, offering products for delivery within 1-4 working days. The e-commerce platform complements the physical store network.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing with campaign标记 'Pang Pris' and professional range 'Proffs Val' |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
BOLIST product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BOLIST operates a nationwide chain of approximately 175 locally-owned building materials retail stores across Sweden, complemented by an e-commerce platform at bolist.se. The company sells construction materials, tools, paints, and outdoor products from branded suppliers to both DIY homeowners and professional tradespeople, supported by in-store services such as cutting, project calculation, delivery, and training.
Product overview
BOLIST is a Swedish building materials retail chain with approximately 175 locations across Sweden, serving both professional tradespeople and DIY homeowners. The offering is a platform of physical building material stores supplemented by a unified e-commerce platform (bolist.se), with approximately 170–175 local entrepreneur-operated stores under a common brand. The product portfolio spans construction materials, tools (DEWALT, HiKOKI, Hultafors, W.steps), adhesives/sealants (Bostik), building boards (BOA), garden and outdoor products, paints (Falu Vapen, Färgberget), and grills. Key digital service products include: (1) Altanbyggaren — a 3D terrace design and material calculation tool, (2) Bygglovsfärdiga hus & ritningar — a Vizcon-based 3D design tool for building permit-ready drawings for houses/garages/conservatories, (3) Bygg ditt fönster — an Elitfönster window design tool, and (4) Skapa ditt uterum — a Halle 3D conservatory configurator. Services include cutting, material calculation/quantification, apartment packing, project delivery, quote requests, and training. The Bygglivet media program provides DIY content, while the Byggstart program supports aspiring building entrepreneurs with 100,000 SEK start packages. Professional customers receive additional services such as on-site delivery, cutting, and special customizations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Bygglivet: A video series featuring TV personalities Johnnie and Mattias testing building constructions and projects with humor and entertainment while sharing relevant building tips.
- Byggstart
Products and services
- Building Materials Retail (in-store and online assortment) Core retail offering of building materials, construction products, and accessories sold both in physical BOLIST stores and through the bolist.se e-commerce platform to DIY homeowners and professional tradespeople across Sweden.
- Tools and Machinery (DEWALT, HiKOKI, Hultafors, etc.) Selection of professional-grade and DIY power tools, hand tools, and accessories from leading brands, sold in-store and online for tradespeople and DIY homeowners.
- Proffs Professional Services (Proffswebben portal) Dedicated professional program and online portal for Swedish tradespeople (carpenters, builders, contractors), offering tailored pricing, account access, and pro-focused services such as material cutting, calculation, and delivery.
- 3D Design and Planning Tools (Altanbyggaren, Bygg ditt fönster, Uterum, bygglovsfärdiga ritningar) Browser-based 3D planning tools including the Altanbyggaren deck planner, "Bygg ditt fönster" window configurator, Uterum summerhouse configurator, and bygglovsfärdiga ritningar permit-ready drawing service that help customers design projects and produce plans linked to product purchases.
- In-Store Cutting Service Custom cutting of building boards and panels to specified dimensions at BOLIST stores, available to both professional customers and DIY homeowners.
- Material Calculation and Project Support Staff-assisted calculation of material quantities needed for renovation, building, and DIY projects, helping customers order the correct amount of building materials.
- Home Delivery Service (free over SEK 999) Direct delivery of building materials, tools, and outdoor products ordered online or in-store to the customer's home or job site, free for orders above SEK 999.
- Click-and-Collect and Apartment Packing Service Service letting customers order online and pick up in-store, complemented by a dedicated apartment packing service for customers moving into or renovating apartments.
- Training and Courses Training courses and in-store educational sessions for BOLIST customers covering construction, renovation, and DIY topics.
- Quote Request Service (Begär offert) Service enabling customers to request price quotes for products or projects directly from BOLIST through bolist.se.
- Outdoor and Grill Products Assortment Retail assortment of outdoor living and grilling products sold in BOLIST stores and online, alongside building materials and tools.
Quantifiable outcome
- 175 store locations serving customers across all of Sweden
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use BOLIST
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
BOLIST technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BOLIST partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- EssveminorEssve is a sponsor of the Bygglivet video series produced by BOLIST. In the episode '2172 kg - på en skruv!' Essve's various fastening products (screws, anchors) are featured. Essve has developed fastening products since 1970 and holds a leading position in northern Europe.
- ElitfönstercoreBOLIST partners with Elitfönster to offer a 'Bygg ditt fönster' (Build Your Window) 3D design tool, allowing customers to design windows and receive quotes from local BOLIST stores. Elitfönster windows are also sold through BOLIST stores.
- FinjaminorFinja is a sponsor of the Bygglivet video series produced by BOLIST. Finja produces construction materials.
- MatakiminorMataki is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces roofing and waterproofing materials.
- MoelvenminorMoelven is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces wood products including exterior cladding.
- RockwoolminorRockwool is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces insulation materials.
- Svenska FönsterminorSvenska Fönster is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces windows.
- FlexitminorFlexit is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces ventilation products.
- GyprocminorGyproc is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces drywall/ plasterboard products.
- Habo-LASminorHabo-LAS is a season sponsor of Bygglivet.
- HiKOKIminorHiKOKI is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and a pro supplier of power tools sold through BOLIST.
- LindabminorLindab is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces roof drainage and ventilation products.
- Ljungberg & FritzoöminorLjungberg & Fritzoö is a season sponsor of Bygglivet.
- ArecominorAreco is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces roof products.
- JomaminorJoma is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces building brackets/fasteners.
- KnaufminorKnauf is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces building boards/drywall.
- SödraminorSödra is a season sponsor of Bygglivet and produces wood/timber products.
- DEWALTcoreDEWALT is a key pro supplier of power tools sold through BOLIST. BOLIST features DEWALT products as part of its professional tool offering. DEWALT celebrates 100 years in 2024.
- HiKOKIcoreHiKOKI (formerly Hitachi Power Tools) is a key pro supplier of power tools sold through BOLIST. Products include the C3606DB circular saw and DS18DA drill driver. HiKOKI's MULTI VOLT battery platform is featured.
- BostikcoreBostik is a key pro supplier of adhesives, sealants, and wall fillers sold through BOLIST. Products include the SMART PRO professional series. Bostik sponsors Bygglivet.
- HultaforscoreHultafors is a key pro supplier of hand tools sold through BOLIST, including measuring, marking, sawing, and striking tools. Hultafors sponsors Bygglivet.
- W.stepscoreW.steps is a key pro supplier of ladders, work platforms, and scaffolding sold through BOLIST. W.steps is the leading Nordic manufacturer in this category.
- BOAcoreBOA is a key pro supplier of building boards (600+ stock items, 1100+ on-order) sold through BOLIST. BOA delivers construction boards to the Swedish building industry nationwide.
- Char-BroilminorChar-Broil is a key grill brand sold through BOLIST, offering gas, charcoal, and hybrid grills with innovative technology and robust design.
- Dangrill (Schou)minorDangrill, from Danish company Schou, is a grill brand sold through BOLIST, focusing on modern Scandinavian design and quality.
- Mestergruppen Sverige ABcoreBOLIST is owned by Mestergruppen Sverige AB, Sweden's largest building materials retail group (also owning XL-BYGG and Järnia). Mestergruppen provides shared services including logistics (through Mestergruppen Sverige Logistik AB), marketing, digitalization, sustainability support, and training.
- KlarnaminorKlarna is offered as a payment option at checkout on bolist.se, allowing customers to pay later.
- SchenkerminorSchenker is a logistics/shipping partner listed on the BOLIST website footer, suggesting their use for freight/delivery services.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BOLIST competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Beijer Byggmaterial: Nordic building materials retail chain (Sweden + Norway) operating ~150 stores with a strong pro-customer orientation, providing an apples-to-apples comparison to BOLIST's store count, target audience, and supplier-brand mix.
- XL-BYGG: Swedish building materials retail chain that is a direct sister brand to BOLIST — both owned by Mestergruppen Sverige AB — serving pro and DIY customers with a comparable national store footprint, identical supplier brands, and shared logistics.
- Jula: Swedish retail chain selling tools, hardware, building materials, and garden products via a mix of physical stores and e-commerce, with overlap to BOLIST in tools (HiKOKI, DEWALT-class brands) and DIY customer segments.
- Byggmax: Sweden-based discount building materials retailer combining 100+ physical stores with a strong e-commerce channel, targeting DIY homeowners and small tradespeople with a low-price positioning directly comparable to BOLIST's 'Pang Pris' campaign.
- Bauhaus (Sverige): European home improvement / building materials big-box chain with a growing footprint in Sweden, offering lumber, tools, and DIY services comparable to BOLIST's core assortment but with a larger-format, warehouse-style store model.
- Skånska Byggvaror: Swedish building materials retail chain operating physical stores and an e-commerce platform serving both professionals and DIY customers, with a comparable assortment (lumber, tools, paint, garden) to BOLIST.
Broad incumbents
- Hornbach: Pan-European DIY home improvement and building materials big-box retailer with a Swedish online and physical presence; operates at a much larger group scale than BOLIST and competes for the same pro and DIY spend.
- Optimera (Saint-Gobain): Leading Nordic building materials distributor/wholesaler (Saint-Gobain-owned) serving professional contractors with lumber, tools, and interior products; overlaps with BOLIST's Proffs segment via the same trade-customer base.
Emerging players
- Clas Ohlson: Nordic specialty retailer selling hardware, tools, and home improvement products with a strong store and e-commerce presence in Sweden; partial category overlap with BOLIST but more focused on smaller-format hardware and DIY accessories.
Regional players
- Jem & Fix: Danish discount hardware and building materials chain with 150+ stores; comparable assortment and DIY/pro mix to BOLIST but operates primarily in Denmark rather than Sweden, making it a regional benchmark rather than direct domestic competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BOLIST social profiles
Digital presenceBOLIST financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BOLIST leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
BOLIST subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
BOLIST funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BOLIST M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BOLIST
What does BOLIST do?
BOLIST operates a nationwide chain of approximately 175 locally-owned building materials retail stores across Sweden, complemented by an e-commerce platform at bolist.se. The company sells construction materials, tools, paints, and outdoor products from branded suppliers to both DIY homeowners and professional tradespeople, supported by in-store services such as cutting, project calculation, delivery, and training.
Is BOLIST a public or private company?
BOLIST is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was BOLIST founded?
BOLIST was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is BOLIST based?
BOLIST is headquartered in Solna, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does BOLIST make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Retail Sales (In-Store) is the primary driver. The others are E-commerce (bolist.se).
Who are BOLIST's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Beijer Byggmaterial, XL-BYGG, Jula, Byggmax, Bauhaus (Sverige) and Skånska Byggvaror. Broad incumbents are Hornbach and Optimera (Saint-Gobain). Clas Ohlson is listed as an emerging player. Jem & Fix is listed as a regional player.
Does BOLIST have an API?
No public API is recorded for BOLIST.