Ikea to open first store in New Zealand 50 years after Australia
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The South Pacific nation is part of a global expansion strategy by Ingka Group - the biggest Ikea franchisee.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Ikea will open its first store in New Zealand in December, offering its flat-pack furniture and Swedish meatballs in largest city Auckland some 50 years after it entered neighbouring Australia.
The 34,000 sq m store will open at the Sylvia Park shopping centre on Dec 4, Ingka Group – the largest Ikea franchisee – said on Sept 4. An estimated 500 jobs are being created.
“The benefits are huge,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said after a visit to the site. “More jobs, economic growth, and that’s all good for New Zealand.”
The South Pacific nation is part of Ingka’s global expansion strategy that will see more than €5 billion (S$7.5 billion) invested in new locations and upgrades by 2027.
Ikea, the world’s largest furniture retailer, opened its first store in Sweden in 1958 and is active in 63 markets today.
While there will only be a single New Zealand store for now, Ingka said it will launch 29 “Pick-Up Points” nationwide with home delivery, making more than 7,500 items from the Ikea range available across the country.
The new Ikea store will feature a Swedish restaurant and bistro serving meatballs and hot dogs alongside local dishes, it said. BLOOMBERG
