World's Largest IKEA to open in Manila

Yes, you read that right! The world's largest IKEA will open in Metro Manila, much to the delight of the shopaholics and home makeover aficionados residing here. I know that I am because I always visit IKEA in Singapore when I am there. 

IKEA announced plans to open its largest store in the world at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in 2020, launching a pre-opening website at an event attended by co-workers, business friends, and government officials.

 “The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for many people, so we are excited to be bringing our offer to a country where millions of people share our passion for home,” said Christian Rojkjaer, the managing director IKEA Southeast Asia, owner of IKEA stores in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. “We have around 9,000 well-designed, functional home furnishing products that can help people make everyday life at home a little better. All at an affordable price!”

At around 65,000 square meters, the first IKEA store at Mall of Asia will be about as big as 150 basketball courts - almost double the size of a typical IKEA big blue-box. The shop floor will be similar to other IKEA stores but the building will also house a call center and a supersized warehouse to accommodate e-commerce operations

When the store opens at the end of 2020, millions of people in Greater Manila will also be able to shop online and get orders delivered directly to their doorsteps. 

 IKEA Southeast Asia is making an initial investment of around PHP 7 billion to fit out, stock, market, and staff the first store for its opening.  The company plans to hire around 500 Filipino co-workers and will create hundreds of spin-off jobs and business opportunities. IKEA is now looking for local partners to support operations in areas such as food supply, transport, waste management, security, and more. The IKEA Philippines website has more information: www.IKEA.ph

The IKEA store in Manila will have everything people need for their home under one roof – from candles and cookware to kitchens and sofas.  There are also hundreds of products that help people live a more sustainable life at home, ranging from affordable LED lights to recycling solutions.  A typical IKEA store includes more than 55 inspirational room settings.  The self-serve warehouse has flat-packed products ready to be taken home the same day. Parents can drop off kids at a supervised playroom and there is also a restaurant with meals for the whole family.

The IKEA team provided a little taste of things to come Tuesday as the team served up Swedish meatballs and welcomed mall visitors to take photographs in an electric jeepney painted in IKEA blue and yellow colors.