IKEA boosted by customers returning to stores
IKEA has increased its annual sales by 13% to £2.2 billion in the UK as more customers returned to its stores following the pandemic.
During the period, IKEA opened its first small shop on the high street in Hammersmith and also announced plans to launch a store on London’s Oxford Street .
Peter Jelkeby, country retail manager and chief sustainability officer at IKEA UK, said: “We saw consumers returning to our stores while online sales remained strong with high demand for a convenient shopping experience.
“To meet these needs, we opened our first small store on the high street, created new ways to meet customers remotely and in-store, and launched new ways to deliver orders.
“With a variety of stores, service offers and digital solutions that complement each other, our aim is to be there for our customers, however they want to meet us.”
IKEA said it witnessed a significant impact on material and transportation costs within its global supply chain in the period due to the war in Ukraine and other major global and economic issues. In response, prices were adjusted across large parts of its ranges to reflect the increased cost base.
Jekelby added: “A post-pandemic backdrop of increased living costs, supply chain challenges and macro-economic instability inevitably shaped our business in 2022
“In 2023, we will continue on our journey to create better homes for customers, better lives for co-workers and communities, a better company for now and generations to come, and a better planet for all.”
