Stockholm, 1912 — the threat of a world war rumbles on the horizon.
But Joseph Sachs has made up his mind — he shall build the most luxurious department store in all of Northern Europe: Nordiska Kompaniet.
Märta's joy over the new department store swiftly turns to fear when her German fiancé returns home to defend his country. How will he manage? How will she manage? Her friends Torun, Beda, Ottilia, and Karolina comfort her as best they can. But Torun is also harbouring a very private heartache of her own.
Meanwhile, at the magnificent NK store, new bonds are being forged behind the scenes. The talented seamstresses in the French Couture Atelier — who hear the most tantalising rumours — work and gossip with equal diligence. Ellen Sachs ensures that Maria, the shy new head cashier, becomes one of the gang, and soon they are joined by young Victoria Ekman, who wants nothing more than to leave her boring country life for the bustle of the big city.
Over the course of fifteen years, NK and its women share triumphs and setbacks alike, in the luxury store where the customer is king — and the King is a customer.
Based on Nordiska Kompaniet’s own archives, The Resilient Ladies of the Luxury Store is a warm tale of friendship between the women who must soldier on through dark and dramatic times. It is the second installment in Ruth Kvarnström-Jones' international bestselling series Stockholm Landmarks.