Over the job media focus indeed, I’ll agree on that. I don’t understand the hype of this store or any of the others mentioned. Good for jobs, not for the pockets. But good for Sweden and their economy since profits will be going back there.
The novelty won’t wear off for a while until it becomes like Argos, Aldi and Lidl to people.

where’s the commentary with regard to the question of Ikea being a predatory giant? I can see your references to potential fiscal stimulus.

Ikea’s policy and approach to affordable furniture that doesn’t look like it came out of a bargain bin is what has endeared it in so many countries. Although this is probably where it could be deemed more covert operative like a chameleon than a marauding lion.

What people should do is go visit a longer established Ikea in the UK and look at the state of the assembled showroom furniture. The shelf life of a lot of Ikea stuff is appalling short, especially those that suffer from day to day contact so there is a long term price to pay for cheap furniture.

I cant wait to see the number of lookalike house interiors popping up in the next while, especially rented accomodation. Or every newspaper suppliment doing their own Ikea ‘chic’ – chic-kea (TM) – room conversion. I feel sick already at the thought.

It was a good response in Bucharest/Romania, in 2007, when the first IKEA store opened.
The prices from other competitors dropped in a jiffy .

The last thing Ireland needed at this time is a huge Ikea store! I like their products and have bought much from them over the years. I can certainly say that the overall quality of their product is very good, they do last! Ikea is a giant competitor for the mostly not very competitive domestic industry. I am curious to see if the prices are the same as in the rest of Europe but I don’t plan to visit the Irish shop for the moment.

@Christian
My brother runs a good quality joinery making hardwood furniture i.e. not MDF. He is sensible and didn’t overstretch during the boom
This year however all his staff are on a three day week and he is barely breaking even and you reckon he should drop his prices.
Why is it so many Irish people reckon Johny Foreigner should go home yet they and are first in the door when a new foreign big box like Ikea, Tesco or B&Q opens?

You’ll soon grow tired of it. Its all laminated, or has a low breaking threshhold. The stuff doesn’t hold up well, unless you have the comportment of a geisha girl or a cloistered nun. …I can’t see that as a possibility in Ireland.
By the way, the owner of IKEA lives in Switzerland, the Swedes aren’t getting anything out this, either
Paul
Washington, DC

Ikea is popular because it gives people a chance to be interior designers of their own homes and gives a really affordable option. Most of the savy buyers, just use some of the Ikea items and add a mix of durable and classic pieces. I remember living in Cork and trying to find decent furnishings at an affordable price, there was nothing. The furniture shops were full of dated and mixed up ranges. Ireland refuses to become competitive and then complains when the competition arrives.

The reason Ikea is so successful in other parts of Europe and in the US is because people rent unfurnished apartments. When I first moved to Belgium in 2002 I had to furnish and equip an entire apartment quickly and with little money. I don’t think the same market exists in Ireland. On quality, my Ikea furniture has lasted 7 years and has been dismantled, come across the Atlantic with me for 2+ years and come back again. I’m now replacing it with more interesting, better quality pieces from smaller local shops (in Belgium).

IKEA spend a huge amount of time and money on design and development, and spread that cost thinly over ginormous production runs. That’s the formula of their success and you can see it and appreciate it in every item in their store. Design is the part of the process that indigenous and UK furniture superstores have skipped for years, in their efforts to cut costs and maximise profits. IKEA found a way, through mass-production of having design, quality and low prices all at the same time – welcome IKEA, good riddance to anyone who fails at the same game. Obviously, small-scale, bespoke Irish furniture makers will always have their niche, and won’t really be affected by IKEA.