More than 500,000 people visited New Zealand’s first Ikea store in Auckland during its first month, making it one of the company’s most successful openings ever.
Located in Sylvia Park, the store became the top performer in the world for food sales across the Ingka Group, which runs Ikea stores globally. The busiest day was Sunday, 7 December, with nearly 30,000 visitors.
During its first month, Ikea sold over 28,000 plates of meatballs and mashed potatoes, more than 54,000 hot dogs, and 21,000 cinnamon buns. Popular items also included 40,000 white Oftast plates, nearly 50,000 blue Frakta bags, and almost 30,000 white bowls.
Experts say much of the excitement came from the store being new and different. Dr Shahper Richter from the University of Auckland said Ikea is more than a shop – it’s an experience, with its big showroom, budget-friendly food, and even a supervised play area for children, called Småland.
Retail specialist Chris Wilkinson added that the timing, just before Christmas, helped the store succeed. He believes that even though the opening buzz may calm down, Ikea will continue to attract shoppers looking for ideas and enjoying the unique layout and offerings.
With its large store, special food options, and creative room displays, Ikea seems set to remain a popular destination in New Zealand.
