Swedish retail giant IKEA has confirmed its first New Zealand store will officially open on 4 December at Sylvia Park in Auckland, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attending the announcement and preview tour.
The 34,000 square metre store, featuring two levels of showrooms and its signature Swedish restaurant, began construction in 2023 and will employ around 500 staff, 85 of whom are already hired.
Senior management positions drew 800 applicants, reflecting strong interest amid high unemployment.
IKEA will also launch online shopping with 29 pick-up points nationwide. Auckland Council advised the retailer to avoid opening on peak retail days such as public holidays, Fridays, and Boxing Day.
Image credit: Adam Kolmacka
Look for IKEA to replace Smith City, and for Wal-Mart to buy-out The Warehouse.
Then, 4-Square will probably be replaced by Aldi in due course, as the wholesalers are deeply Masonic with whom they will do business with.
THAT in part is why the food prices keep going up & up…!
Smith City 0 – Ikea 1. Let’s see how advertising affected the country really is; and how much shopping local loyalty remains.
Will Ikea survive keeping prices low given we have stupidly high minimum wages? I dont think so. Ikea will be expensive to our income levels.
NZ has stupidly high prices across the board hence stupidly high minimum wages – which probably just keep your head above water.
Plus IKEA furniture is crap.