India's largest Ikea store opens in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: With an investment of Rs 3,000 crore, India’s largest Ikea store, the new Nagasandra, Bengaluru, store is 460,000 square feet in size and offers more than 7,000 home furnishings products. The famous "Blue Box" store here was officially inaugurated on Tuesday by the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The maze-like store design of Ikea is renowned throughout the world for trying to lead customers down planned paths and exposing them to a large array of ready-to-assemble products. The Swedish meatball dish at their restaurant serves as the traditional end to the frequently all-day long shopping experiences.

Because all Ikea shops offer room setups—carefully built bedrooms, bathrooms, lounge areas, and kitchens of all types—shoppers may expect to occasionally feel as though they are going through someone's living room or kitchen.

The Bengaluru store features around 65 similar room set-ups to generate home decor ideas. The store also features an immense children’s play area named ‘Smaland,’ along with a restaurant and bistro that serves a blend of Swedish and Indian delicacies.

"We have a long-term commitment to Karnataka to create a positive impact on the local economy through our business. With our growing retail presence, IKEA India will be a strong contributor to increase the overall home furnishing market. It will give opportunities for a growing eco-system for the whole industry, including growing people and skills, we continue to stand by our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people," IKEA India Chief Executive Officer & Chief Sustainability Officer Susanne Pulverer said.

IKEA has employed 1,000 co-workers with 72 per cent local co-workers and plans to hire more people from the local neighbourhood. IKEA truly believes that it will create the best work environment for its many co- According to the company, which also promotes women's empowerment, women are now filling positions previously held by men, such as forklift driving, power stacking, assembly, and installation services.