Ikea is planning expansion: Is the furniture giant coming to Dornbirn?

Ikea is planning expansion: Is the furniture giant coming to Dornbirn?

The rumors about a possible takeover of the furniture store Kika by the furniture giant Ikea are gaining momentum. According to insider information, discussions about this takeover have been ongoing for months and speculation is rife. Christina Strauss, press spokeswoman for Ikea Austria, confirmed in response to a request from VOL.AT that the company is currently evaluating various options for new locations in Austria, including former Kika/Leiner locations. “At this point in time, however, we have not yet made a concrete decision,” she emphasized, pointing out that new employees are currently being sought in several areas, including sales and kitchen planning. Kika employees have the opportunity to apply for open positions at Ikea.

Ikea locations and plans

Although Ikea does not yet operate a large furniture store in Vorarlberg, a planning studio was opened in the Dornbirn Exhibition Park in 2020. Customers can plan and order furniture there in an area of ​​600 square meters. The plans for a larger branch in Lustenau failed in 2018 due to violent citizen protests, which were mainly triggered by the feared increase in traffic. Nevertheless, Ikea is looking for suitable locations to serve the market in the region.

Another interesting aspect is Ikea's global production locations. According to a report by alle Answers.de, Ikea will produce in numerous countries, including Bangladesh, Mexico and Poland. Of the over 50 countries from which Ikea sources wood, Sweden, Poland and Russia are the main suppliers. In total, the company processes an impressive 18 million cubic meters of wood every year, which corresponds to around one percent of global wood consumption. This means that Ikea not only remains the world's largest furniture retailer, but also relies on sustainable forestry with FSC-certified wood.