Ikea's Design for Growth
June 6, 2005 | Levent OZLER
After 20 years of operating in the U.S., Swedish furniture retailer Ikea Group is kicking into a higher gear.
It has been opening an average of just one store annually, but it now plans to open four to five a year, with many of them in new markets, such as Phoenix, Atlanta, and Dallas.
Privately held Ikea is increasing its push to sell to small businesses, as competition rises from companies ranging from Target to Design Within Reach.
BusinessWeek correspondent Louise Lee spoke with Lena Simonsson-Berge, a senior Ikea marketing and design executive about the U.S. furniture market and Ikea's growth plans.
Edited excerpts of their conversation follow
more: businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_23/b3936415.h (430)
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