Ikea doubles UK sales targets
FURNITURE group Ikea unveiled plans to double UK sales and its market share by 2020 as improvements saw annual sales rise 3.1 per cent to £1.3billion.
The Swedish group said the medium-term home furnishing market looked bright as housing sales and consumer confidence improve. A spokesman said: “The economy looks like it’s picking up and we have every hope that will continue.”
It has overhauled its ranges – including a £4million makeover of its living room and children’s departments nationwide – to offset uncertainty about the economic recovery. UK retail boss Gillian Drakeford said: “This gives us the opportunity to double turnover and total market share by 2020.”
Outdoor furniture sales bounced 58 per cent helped by a warm summer and a decision to sell ranges all year round.
It plans an £8million revamp of its kitchen ranges and aims to offer solar panels in all 18 UK shops by the end of the year through a partnership.
Online sales rose 29 per cent against a year ago after Ikea lifted the number of products on the web to 7,500, out of a total of 9,500.