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Ikea sustains double-digit sales growth

Dubai - "We have achieved more than 11 per cent growth compared to a year before," John Kersten, managing director, Ikea - UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Oman.

Swedish furniture maker Ikea has maintained a double-digit annual sales growth in just concluded financial year 2014-15 and will continue to sustain the trend, its top official told Khaleej Times at the launch of its new catalogue for the UAE on Wednesday.
This is the 65th edition of the global Ikea Catalogue launched simultaneously in 48 countries and 32 languages. Within the UAE, the Ikea Catalogue is in its 26th edition with over 1.1 million copies printed.
"We have achieved more than 11 per cent growth compared to a year before," John Kersten, managing director, Ikea - UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Oman, told reporters. However, he declined to share the sales numbers.
The company, a member of Al-Futtaim group of companies, launches new catalogue in August every year. The new Catalogue theme is dedicated to that which naturally unites people - Food! The company served food to around two million people during its catalogue year (August 2014 to July 2015) across the UAE at its two stores - Dubai & Yas Island. The company also hosted 6.5 million people during the same period.
Al Futtaim's company is planning to enter Oman market but final date is not yet confirmed, according to its officials. The Dubai-based business conglomerate also operates stores in Cairo and Doha. "Every market is doing well. Every country is different and not comparable with each other," Kersten told Khaleej Times.
He informed that the company is working on a ten-year expansion plan but he declined to disclose the details but said there will be more stores.
"There will be a few more blue boxes in different shapes," he added. Ikea is offering up to 25 per cent discount on around 600 products at its stores in the UAE.
To reinforce the new theme over the next year, the Catalogue focuses on four main initiatives highlighting "Growing and Producing", "Cooking and Preparing", "Eating, Drinking and Serving", plus "Storing and Handling". Each of these topics enable a healthier and more sustainable way of life while helping consumers create more special moments of togetherness while doing what they love.
"This year at Ikea we start with food by encouraging a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle through cooking, preparing and eating together. We will put the spotlight on the little things that we often overlook. In our daily lives, they might look like small details - a simple gesture or kind word that brings a smile to your face. We want to celebrate these simple things that make our everyday feel extraordinary," Kersten said.
Marking the beginning of the 'New Ikea year', the 324 page Ikea Catalogue together with the Ikea stores aim to surprise and inspire consumers with 1,500 new products and as many ideas. This year Ikea will also be launching many new additions to its popular Restaurant and Café and Swedish Food Market. One of the newest and most anticipated additions to the Ikea Food family this season is the vegetarian 'meatball'.
The Ikea core range also showcases products to support a more sustainable tomorrow; from heat retaining cookware and airtight storage containers to water and energy saving taps, and so much more.
Reaching over 100,000 downloads in the UAE last year, the Ikea Catalogue mobile application is available free of cost on iOS and Android platforms.
- abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com