Ikea brings jobs and competition
Edwards, whose title is New Zealand market leader, was tight-lipped on potential locations, an approximate opening date and size.
‘‘It will be open in the next few years, you’ve waited 76 years, you’ll have to wait a little bit longer. It can’t be done overnight.’’
Edwards said Ikea would not be looking to source materials locally, except for food. The Ikea meatballs will be part of the deal.
Kiwis have waited for years for Ikea’s arrival, and more than 19,000 people have liked the Facebook page ‘‘bring Ikea to New Zealand’’.
Brodin said Ikea was ‘‘a visiondriven company’’.
‘‘People with big dreams, big needs and slim wallets,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re big on function and quality.’’
There was room in the New Zealand market for Ikea, Edwards said.
‘‘Not many international brands have established in New Zealand, that is why the homewares section is shallow.
‘‘We believe competition is healthy. We will fill a gap in the market and complement what is already here.’’
Since confirmation of its arrival last month, the retailer has created a lot of buzz, with people speculating sizes and locations.
On Thursday afternoon, a day before its launch announcement, staff were seen setting up Ikea’s iconic mock bedroom and bathroom displays.
Ikea came very close to opening its first Kiwi store in 2008 but lost a four-year pursuit after the Environment Court ruled its then proposed location in Auckland, Mt Wellington, would cause traffic chaos.
Hamilton then put its hand up in late 2009 to host an Ikea outlet. Its economic development agency invited Ikea scouts to visit the city, but the response from the Australian franchise owner was reported to be lukewarm.
The 76-year-old company was founded by Ingvar Feodor Kamprad and the name was derived from his name and birthplace – Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd.
Kamprad died last January aged 91.
According to the Bloomberg billionaires index, he was estimated to be worth US$58.7 billion (NZ$87.29b) upon his death.
In New Zealand, Ikea is likely to be put into the same space as the Warehouse, Nood, Freedom Ikea New Zealand manager Will Edwards Furniture, Briscoes, Kmart, Bunnings, and Mitre 10, although Harford said Ikea was more of a young person’s brand and more mature furniture buyers would possibly go elsewhere.
Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett said Ikea’s arrival was good news for the country, bringing a new range of products, pricing and competition to the market.
‘‘It’s a good thing for New Zealand,’’ Barnett said.
‘‘Yes, it’ll put pressure on the smaller retailers, but when Bunnings and Mitre 10 started out they put pressure on existing players, it’s the new way – to have a megastore and sell products at a cheaper price.
‘‘It’s good news for the DIY guy, for students, and it will create more jobs in construction and retail.’’