The Swedish furniture producer, IKEA is finalizing the activities on opening of its first department store in Serbia which is scheduled for 10th August. The product catalogue in Serbian language will be printed in over a million copies.
IKEA doesn’t what to reveal all novelties and surprises that await shoppers on the opening day as yet, but the company’s corporate communications manager, Maja Vujaskovic-Djureinovic says that they expect over 20,000 shoppers on the opening day.
IKEA, which is known worldwide for its good quality affordable furniture and home goods, is the biggest furniture retail chain in the world, and in Serbia it employs 416 people. Further hiring will depend on the department’s store future needs.
“The works on the department store have entered a final stage. The exterior of the building and access roads have been finished, and now we are focusing on doing the interior of the store. Also, we are in the final stage of stocking up our warehouse”, Vujaskovic-Djureinovic says.
There will be around 9,500 products available for purchase at IKEA’s department store in Bubanj Potok at the prices that are the same as those in the neighbouring countries. IKEA currently has only one supplier from Serbia – Standard Furniture from Cuprija.
“We are working on having more suppliers from Serbia; there are many companies interested and we do hope that our supplier network in Serbia will extend. Our colleagues say that the supplier potential here is great since Serbia has a great furniture tradition and skilled workforce”, Vujaskovic-Djureinovic adds.
She also refuted claims, made by certain media, that IKEA was given state subsidies. “IKEA has not used any state subsidies for new jobs, or any other type of subsidies”, Vujaskovic-Djureinovic adds.
IKEA has invested a total of 70 million EUR in its first department store in Serbia which spans 33,000 square metres.
(Vecernje Novosti, 11.07.2017)
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