''We are proud and excited to bring the IKEA Concept to Oman. Entering a new retail market means being one step closer to offering the accessible and affordable IKEA range of well-designed and functional home furnishing products to the many people. Al-Futtaim Group has a lot of experience in successfully operating retail businesses, and together we're determined to also make IKEA meaningful and beloved in the homes of our customers in Oman'', says Maria Johansson, Expansion Manager, Inter IKEA Systems B.V.
The IKEA Muscat store in Oman spans 25,000 square metres and is located in the city centre of Muscat at the Lulu Group's Oman Avenues Mall. Leveraging digital innovation, Oman's first IKEA store will also be available virtually, making it more accessible for shoppers to browse and buy products and offer an inspirational shopping experience for the millions of people in that region. Designed to have a positive impact on the environment and promote sustainable living, the store will also contribute to the Sultanate's Green Agenda with innovative solutions that help reduce waste, save energy, and conserve natural resources.
''The first IKEA store in the Sultanate of Oman reflects our commitment to making sustainable living affordable and accessible while creating a better everyday life for the many people. As part of the Al-Futtaim Group, we live by the same ethos of enriching the lives and aspirations of our customers at every turn, and we aim to do this for our customers across Oman. We are now closer to our Omani customers and are confident that the experience and home furnishing ideas we provide at IKEA will inspire our customers to refresh their homes'', says Vinod Jayan, Managing Director IKEA UAE, Egypt and Oman.
The opening of the IKEA Muscat store contributes to the global expansion plan. After the IKEA store openings in Puerto Rico and The Philippines, Oman is now the third new entered retail market this year, meaning that there are 469 IKEA stores across 64 markets globally.
About IKEA
IKEA offers well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. There are several companies with different owners, operating under the IKEA trademark, all sharing the same vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people. The IKEA business was founded in Sweden in 1943.
About Inter IKEA Group
Inter IKEA Group includes Inter IKEA Systems B.V., IKEA of Sweden AB, IKEA Supply AG, IKEA Industry AB and their related businesses. Inter IKEA Holding B.V. is the holding company for the Inter IKEA Group.
About the IKEA franchise system
The IKEA retail business is operated through a franchise system with franchisees that are, among others, authorised to market and sell IKEA products from the IKEA product range within specified geographical territories. Inter IKEA Systems B.V. is the owner of the IKEA concept and worldwide IKEA franchisor, who also assigns different Inter IKEA Group companies to develop the range, supply products and deliver communication solutions. Today, 12 different groups of companies own and operate IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V.
About Al-Futtaim Group
Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and health; employing more than 35,000 co-workers across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Al-Futtaim Group operates IKEA stores in Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
