IKEA to open in NC

[Saddle Bronc 124]

AP Link

Ikea takes aim at the home state of America's furniture industry

Store set in heart of furniture country

By Ieva M. Augstums The Associated PressPublished: January 18, 2007

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina

The Swedish retailer Ikea is making plans to open its first store in the home state of America's furniture industry, where competition from abroad has shuttered dozens of manufacturing plants and led to thousands of lost jobs.

Ikea, the iconic home furnishings retailer, plans to open its first store in North Carolina in 2009, not far from the marketplace that is the largest sales fair in the business.

But experts said furniture manufacturers and retailers here should not feel threatened by the large bright blue-and- yellow Ikea store, which is packed with inexpensive merchandise.

In fact, they think it might even help sales of more expensive items.

"The fact that Ikea is coming, it will definitely encourage consumers to spruce up their homes," said Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance. "Those that like Ikea will buy it. Consumers who want something more will take a look at it and decide to buy something else somewhere else."

And that "something more" is what consumers can get from the manufacturers — including those from North Carolina — who feature their products at the annual home furnishings market in nearby High Point, Hirschhaut said.

The Ikea concept was created in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, then a 17-year-old who made pencils, stools and matchboxes on his family farm and sold them in neighboring villages.

The company now sells inexpensive lamps, linens, cooking utensils, storage units, wall décor and more to go along with its modern furniture, most of which can be assembled with simple tools.

While the brand appeals to many, Ikea's wares — flat packed and ready to assemble yourself — are often favored by younger consumers, said Mary Frye, president of the Home Furnishings International Association, a Dallas-based trade group.

"They are not for everyone, but they do have a following," she said.

One reason behind the company's popularity is what Ikea officials call "affordable design." After flipping through the company's 370-page catalog, others might just call the items cheap.

"Consumers' needs help determine a piece of furniture's value," Frye said. "You may want to put a $200 Ikea bed in your guestroom and you may think you deserve a $2,000 Thomasville bed in your room."

That is the kind of furniture produced in places such as Thomasville, North Carolina, a town built around furniture manufacturing plants, and sold at the trade show in High Point.

The market is not open to the public, but almost 85,000 industry insiders did business in 12 million square feet, or 1.1 million square meters, of showroom space there last October.

Ikea is not among the thousands of manufacturers from around the world that show off their products at the market. Many are high-end producers whose furniture is sold at much smaller independent showrooms and stores.

Joseph Roth, an Ikea spokesman, said more than 150,000 North and South Carolina residents already travel to shop at its stores or shop online.

The retailer, which has its North American headquarters just outside of Philadelphia, opened its first U.S. store in 1985 and has 29 U.S. locations primarily up and down the East and West coasts.

The company is currently "focused on building a presence in the South," Roth said. Ikea already operates a store in Atlanta and has two more under construction in Florida.

[de_sjiem 0]

Yay!! I love Ikea! We had one fairly close to us back home in Canada, and I miss it here! There is one about 2 1/2 hours away from here which isn't sooo bad i suppose but still too far!

[bostonparis 0]

They opened one here in Mass. last year I think. I went last summer. I don't get what all the fuss is about. My brother likes their meatballs and rhubarb pie...

[Flames9_RN 359]

We enjoy Ikea, good furniture for the price. I know people camp out in front of new stores ,usually Ikea gives the very first customer a huge shopping spree, not sure how much, but I belive a few thousand $$'s worth.

[SoL. 0]

I love IKEA! Would they ever open one here @ Missouri?

[ChristinaM 0]

We hiked down to the one in Mass, just because my husband had no idea what Ikea was and I love it! I doubt we'll see one any further north

[SoL. 0]

We hiked down to the one in Mass, just because my husband had no idea what Ikea was and I love it! I doubt we'll see one any further north

I guess the closest one I have is Illinois... When I visit Pieter there are so many of them in the Netherlands!

Edited January 21, 2007 by Sol-de-Verano

[matako 0]

No need to open IKEA in NC. I already bought all my house furniture. Too late.

AP Link

Ikea takes aim at the home state of America's furniture industry

Store set in heart of furniture country

By Ieva M. Augstums The Associated PressPublished: January 18, 2007

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina

The Swedish retailer Ikea is making plans to open its first store in the home state of America's furniture industry, where competition from abroad has shuttered dozens of manufacturing plants and led to thousands of lost jobs.

Ikea, the iconic home furnishings retailer, plans to open its first store in North Carolina in 2009, not far from the marketplace that is the largest sales fair in the business.

But experts said furniture manufacturers and retailers here should not feel threatened by the large bright blue-and- yellow Ikea store, which is packed with inexpensive merchandise.

In fact, they think it might even help sales of more expensive items.

"The fact that Ikea is coming, it will definitely encourage consumers to spruce up their homes," said Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance. "Those that like Ikea will buy it. Consumers who want something more will take a look at it and decide to buy something else somewhere else."

And that "something more" is what consumers can get from the manufacturers — including those from North Carolina — who feature their products at the annual home furnishings market in nearby High Point, Hirschhaut said.

The Ikea concept was created in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, then a 17-year-old who made pencils, stools and matchboxes on his family farm and sold them in neighboring villages.

The company now sells inexpensive lamps, linens, cooking utensils, storage units, wall décor and more to go along with its modern furniture, most of which can be assembled with simple tools.

While the brand appeals to many, Ikea's wares — flat packed and ready to assemble yourself — are often favored by younger consumers, said Mary Frye, president of the Home Furnishings International Association, a Dallas-based trade group.

"They are not for everyone, but they do have a following," she said.

One reason behind the company's popularity is what Ikea officials call "affordable design." After flipping through the company's 370-page catalog, others might just call the items cheap.

"Consumers' needs help determine a piece of furniture's value," Frye said. "You may want to put a $200 Ikea bed in your guestroom and you may think you deserve a $2,000 Thomasville bed in your room."

That is the kind of furniture produced in places such as Thomasville, North Carolina, a town built around furniture manufacturing plants, and sold at the trade show in High Point.

The market is not open to the public, but almost 85,000 industry insiders did business in 12 million square feet, or 1.1 million square meters, of showroom space there last October.

Ikea is not among the thousands of manufacturers from around the world that show off their products at the market. Many are high-end producers whose furniture is sold at much smaller independent showrooms and stores.

Joseph Roth, an Ikea spokesman, said more than 150,000 North and South Carolina residents already travel to shop at its stores or shop online.

The retailer, which has its North American headquarters just outside of Philadelphia, opened its first U.S. store in 1985 and has 29 U.S. locations primarily up and down the East and West coasts.

The company is currently "focused on building a presence in the South," Roth said. Ikea already operates a store in Atlanta and has two more under construction in Florida.

[eric&gen 0]

No need to open IKEA in NC. I already bought all my house furniture. Too late.

AP Link

Ikea takes aim at the home state of America's furniture industry

Store set in heart of furniture country

By Ieva M. Augstums The Associated PressPublished: January 18, 2007

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina

The Swedish retailer Ikea is making plans to open its first store in the home state of America's furniture industry, where competition from abroad has shuttered dozens of manufacturing plants and led to thousands of lost jobs.

Ikea, the iconic home furnishings retailer, plans to open its first store in North Carolina in 2009, not far from the marketplace that is the largest sales fair in the business.

But experts said furniture manufacturers and retailers here should not feel threatened by the large bright blue-and- yellow Ikea store, which is packed with inexpensive merchandise.

In fact, they think it might even help sales of more expensive items.

"The fact that Ikea is coming, it will definitely encourage consumers to spruce up their homes," said Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance. "Those that like Ikea will buy it. Consumers who want something more will take a look at it and decide to buy something else somewhere else."

And that "something more" is what consumers can get from the manufacturers — including those from North Carolina — who feature their products at the annual home furnishings market in nearby High Point, Hirschhaut said.

The Ikea concept was created in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, then a 17-year-old who made pencils, stools and matchboxes on his family farm and sold them in neighboring villages.

The company now sells inexpensive lamps, linens, cooking utensils, storage units, wall décor and more to go along with its modern furniture, most of which can be assembled with simple tools.

While the brand appeals to many, Ikea's wares — flat packed and ready to assemble yourself — are often favored by younger consumers, said Mary Frye, president of the Home Furnishings International Association, a Dallas-based trade group.

"They are not for everyone, but they do have a following," she said.

One reason behind the company's popularity is what Ikea officials call "affordable design." After flipping through the company's 370-page catalog, others might just call the items cheap.

"Consumers' needs help determine a piece of furniture's value," Frye said. "You may want to put a $200 Ikea bed in your guestroom and you may think you deserve a $2,000 Thomasville bed in your room."

That is the kind of furniture produced in places such as Thomasville, North Carolina, a town built around furniture manufacturing plants, and sold at the trade show in High Point.

The market is not open to the public, but almost 85,000 industry insiders did business in 12 million square feet, or 1.1 million square meters, of showroom space there last October.

Ikea is not among the thousands of manufacturers from around the world that show off their products at the market. Many are high-end producers whose furniture is sold at much smaller independent showrooms and stores.

Joseph Roth, an Ikea spokesman, said more than 150,000 North and South Carolina residents already travel to shop at its stores or shop online.

The retailer, which has its North American headquarters just outside of Philadelphia, opened its first U.S. store in 1985 and has 29 U.S. locations primarily up and down the East and West coasts.

The company is currently "focused on building a presence in the South," Roth said. Ikea already operates a store in Atlanta and has two more under construction in Florida.

I didn't know trolls can buy home furnishings? How do you fit all your furniture underneath your bridge?

[ajames79 0]

Awesome! I love Ikea...and I just happen to be in NC.

However...Charlotte is 3 hours away. Atlanta is 2 hours away...and they have an Ikea. So I won't be affected! *smiles*

[Henia 11]

When I lived in Europe, we used to shop at IKEA all the time. So when I moved to the US, to California I was very happy to see a IKEA store in Emeryville. After moving again, to MI... I missed IKEA... but they opened one here too last summer!

[devblt 0]

We enjoy Ikea, good furniture for the price. I know people camp out in front of new stores ,usually Ikea gives the very first customer a huge shopping spree, not sure how much, but I belive a few thousand $$'s worth.

If that's true, I live about 20 minutes from where the store is going to be located.. do you think I should start camping out now?!?!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Still haven't heard from Reba (the NC Canuck) on this one.

[doodlebug 3]

I don't get the fuss either. Don't you have to put together any furniture you buy there? We had some at work and it looked like the stuff you'd get at Target or something. Not worth the long trip it would take me.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I don't get the fuss either. Don't you have to put together any furniture you buy there? We had some at work and it looked like the stuff you'd get at Target or something. Not worth the long trip it would take me.

Some differences.

The stuff at Target is generally made from sawdust coated with woodgrained paper, where the stuff from IKEA is oft made of ACTUAL wood (which is a lot sturdier)