IKEA: BANGKOK STORE PLANS ON HOLD
EXCLUSIVE: by The Bangkok Bugle
The global economic crisis has delayed plans by Swedish furniture giant IKEA to expand to Bangkok.
Despite positive news in September regarding a possible opening in 2009, a Singapore-based spokesman for the company confirmed: ".. the global financial crisis has added some challenges to our ambitions." And while not ruling out a future opening he added: "This year will be a decisive year". The spokesman declined to elaborate on when a further decision may be made.
Stories about IKEA and its possible expansion in Thailand and Bangkok have consistently been some of the most popular on this site. I think an IKEA store in Bangkok would be hugely popular, although I know it will take a huge investment from the company to make it happen.
UPDATED: May 12, 2009. BANGKOK TO GET IKEA STORE, AT LAST.
2 comments:
I can't wait to get an IKEA in Bangkok so I can finally get my Swedish candy without having to hassle friends back home in the old country.
Hope they will make it happen soon.
Hi Robert, thanks for your comments.
IKEA is one thing I miss from the UK, and there's been talk of one being built for ages.
From what I understand any opening would be at least 18 months after any firm decision has been taken, but it seems that decision isn't going to be made any time soon. (That's from several chats with people in Singapore who look after the IKEA brand in this part of the world.)
In the meantime there's always Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, but it's not exactly easy to get that flat-pack wardrobe in your hand luggage!
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