Finally, Philippines to get its first Ikea store “soon”
Four years after Swedish discount furniture giant Ikea first signaled interest in the Philippine market, they now seem to be ready to do the actual step.
Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries confirmed that Ikea has indeed decided to “come in” and open its first store in the country “soon,” Manila Bulletin reported. Fries said once the multinational group — that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories — decides to start operating in a particular country, “major investments and manpower recruitment” will follow.
“There would be great opportunities for Filipinos to find work and there would be investment in putting up stores,” the ambassador said, adding that “I won’t be surprised that once they have set their camp here, they’ll be looking for local manufacturing. I think that would be wonderful and interesting for the Philippines.”
However, Fries gave no additional information about the specific opening date or location of the much-anticipated Ikea store.
Ikea was part of a business delegation from Sweden to the Philippines last year. Reportedly, they held talks with SM Investments Corp. and other Filipino companies as possible partners and said a final decision would be made in 2017.
The SM Group is the Philippines’ largest mall developer and retailer — with 58 shopping centers across the Philippines to date — and is among those trying to sign a deal with the Swedes.
Ikea is also expanding in Thailand where it set up its first store in Bangkok’s southeastern Bang Na district in 2011. This January, a job fair was held to recruit staff for the company’s second store slated to open in 2018 in Bang Yai northwest of Bangkok. The three-storey Bang Yai branch will be the first Ikea store in the world that will be integrated in shopping mall with a total of six entrances and exits, a concept that could also be introduced in the Philippines.
Four years after Swedish discount furniture giant Ikea first signaled interest in the Philippine market, they now seem to be ready to do the actual step. Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries confirmed that Ikea has indeed decided to “come in” and open its first store in the country "soon," Manila Bulletin reported. Fries said once the multinational group — that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories — decides to start operating in a particular country, "major investments and manpower recruitment" will follow. "There would be great opportunities for Filipinos to find work and there...
Four years after Swedish discount furniture giant Ikea first signaled interest in the Philippine market, they now seem to be ready to do the actual step.
Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries confirmed that Ikea has indeed decided to “come in” and open its first store in the country “soon,” Manila Bulletin reported. Fries said once the multinational group — that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories — decides to start operating in a particular country, “major investments and manpower recruitment” will follow.
“There would be great opportunities for Filipinos to find work and there would be investment in putting up stores,” the ambassador said, adding that “I won’t be surprised that once they have set their camp here, they’ll be looking for local manufacturing. I think that would be wonderful and interesting for the Philippines.”
However, Fries gave no additional information about the specific opening date or location of the much-anticipated Ikea store.
Ikea was part of a business delegation from Sweden to the Philippines last year. Reportedly, they held talks with SM Investments Corp. and other Filipino companies as possible partners and said a final decision would be made in 2017.
The SM Group is the Philippines’ largest mall developer and retailer — with 58 shopping centers across the Philippines to date — and is among those trying to sign a deal with the Swedes.
Ikea is also expanding in Thailand where it set up its first store in Bangkok’s southeastern Bang Na district in 2011. This January, a job fair was held to recruit staff for the company’s second store slated to open in 2018 in Bang Yai northwest of Bangkok. The three-storey Bang Yai branch will be the first Ikea store in the world that will be integrated in shopping mall with a total of six entrances and exits, a concept that could also be introduced in the Philippines.
