Jesper Brodin News

Ikea is running into the problem of slow furniture sales as Indians, unlike Westerners, tend to use their furniture for a long timeIkea is still bullish on India, having already laid the groundwork for stores in Mumbai and Bengaluru, and plans to open smaller stores as well

The world's biggest furniture group, known for its low-cost disposable items, first said it was looking into leasing its desks, beds and sofas in FebThe rental tests will give IKEA insights into the durability of its products that it will feed back to designers

Ikea Group president and chief executive Jesper Brodin on Ikea’s expansion plans for Mumbai and the rest of IndiaHe also dwelt on new format stores and local adaptations according to India's urban challenges and cultural requirements

Ikea CEO Jesper Brodin promised Wednesday to meet the needs, frustrations and dreams of local consumers with the Swedish firm's first Indian store, its second attempt to break into a vast but difficult market. Ikea, whose founder Ingvar Kamprad died in January, is present in 49 countries. But its previous attempt in 2006 at reaching India's burgeoning middle class fell foul of local regulations. This time around, Ikea expects to attract seven million visitors per year to its 13-acre Hyderabad site, the first of 25 outlets it hopes to open across the country of 1.25 billion by 2025. But Brodin admitted having to give Ikea's business model a local twist of Indian spice to try to attract a vast middle class not used to a company which expects them to assemble products themselves.

Before beginning sale of its home furnishing products from August 9, IKEA has been giving a sneak peek to its products and solutions at IKEA Hej HOME in Hyderabad

Jesper Brodin will replace Peter Agnefjall as Ikea's new CEO from 1 September to drive the Swedish furniture firm's Asia expansion plans and online growth