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The brand now operates its flagship store at Dubai Festival City and a further store at Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi.
Mile Franicevic, General Manager, IKEA, UAE stated: "2007 saw a sharp increase in sales with a steady flow of over 20,000 customers every Friday to the Dubai Festival City store. In December 10% of the total UAE population visited IKEA stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi".
Key to IKEA stores worldwide success is the flat pack, self assembly, self serve philosophy. The efficient flat pack design allows the entire product range to be stored under one roof.
Accessible in the self-serve area of the store, the self assembly packs are easily transported home eliminating long delivery waiting times.
Throughout the store full product information is listed alongside each item with customers offered tools required to make on the spot purchasing decisions.
IKEA translates these efficient cost savings into fixed low prices ensuring customers regardless of their budget can afford quality design solutions all year round.
Commenting on the success of IKEA in the UAE, Franicevic explained:
"UAE residents are enjoying the benefits of the unique IKEA concept. While there are specialist staff on hand to assist at all times, the store is designed to promote easy independent shopping. Because of this cost efficient approach to retail, our customers are realizing quality design is affordable. Despite the fluctuations in the Euro against the US dollar, IKEA have maintained consistent low prices over the last 5 years".
Franicevic concluded: "The booming real estate market in the UAE is fuelling this upsurge in the furniture retail industry. We anticipate this continuing as development projects are realized throughout all seven Emirates".
There are a total of 274 IKEA stores in 36 countries. This year IKEA plans to open an additional 30 stores worldwide.
Posted by Eman Hassan
