IKEA will build a 400,000 sq. ft. store in Mumbai

News Point: IKEA has bought land in Navi Mumbai; one IKEA Store will create over 500 equal job opportunities.

IKEA, the Swedish home furnishings company has announced the purchase of its first land parcel in Mumbai and second one in India after Hyderabad. The 23 acres site is strategically located in Navi Mumbai on Thane Belapur Road.

The IKEA store in Mumbai is planned to be around 400.000 square feet and is expected to have more than 5 million visitors per year. To be easily accessible for many people the store site has good access to public transport and next to an existing sub- urban railway station, “Turbhe”, located on the Thane Belapur road.

This step is yet another confirmation of IKEA’s large expansion plans in India. The company in parallelis evaluating suitable sites in the cities of Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi & NCR and plans to open 25 stores in India by 2025.

Speaking on the occasion, Principle Secretary Industry Maharashtra, Apurva Chandra, said “We are very happy that we will soon see an IKEA store in Mumbai. IKEA will bring best business practices, many employment opportunities, infrastructure development and contribute to the growth of the retail sector in the state. We believe that IKEA will work as a catalyst in our development plans. The government is committed to provide the necessary support to IKEA forits future expansion plans in the state.” 

Juvencio Maeztu, Chief Executive Officer, IKEA India, said, “Maharashtra is one of the most important market for IKEA. Along with setting up retail stores, we will expand our supplier landscape and grow local sourcing as much as possible. Each IKEA store will employ 500-700 coworkers directly and another 1500 indirectly, engaged in providing services. We are committed to having 50% women in our organization at all levels and giving equal opportunities to all. We will bring a unique shopping experience through our inspiring stores offering affordable home furnishing products for the many people in Mumbai.”

IKEA has been sourcing from India for the last 30 years and it plans to double its sourcing volumes by 2020. Through it 50 suppliers, IKEA today employs 45,000 people directly and about 400,000 in the extended supply chain. It has recently organized three “Make More in India” campaigns, including one in Mumbai to look for new suppliers.