IKEA JB to open by end-2017

PETALING JAYA (April 7): IKEA Malaysia’s third store which is located in Jalan Desa Tebrau, Johor Bahru is slated to open by the end of next year, said store owner and operator Ikano Pte Ltd in a press statement today.

IKEA Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand retail director Mike King said the company has planned for the first phase of recruitment for over 50 positions, including the store’s management team – such as store manager, managers and assistant managers for sales, communication and interior design, human resource, sustainability, restaurant and logistics departments.

“This store is part of our overall ambition to expand in Southeast Asia and commitment to provide more Malaysians with affordable, functional and well-designed Swedish home furnishings. As we prepare its development, we invite Malaysians to join our team to pioneer the set-up of our new store,” he said in the press release.

He noted that IKEA Johor Bahru will be the first store in the southern region of Malaysia.

To date, there are more than 375 IKEA stores in 47 countries, including two in Malaysia – IKEA Damansara and IKEA Cheras, with Malaysia’s fourth IKEA store in Penang slated to open in 2018.

KGV International Property Consultants (Johor) Sdn Bhd executive director Samuel Tan said IKEA Johor Bahru is situated at the 36.94-acre tract next to Jusco Tebrau City.

According to previous reports, Ikano had purchased the land for RM64.4 million, or approximately RM40 psf, in July 2007.

According to the website of IKEA Johor Bahru’s architect TJ Ong Architect, the IKEA store will be 170,600 sq m and will be integrated with a shopping centre.

The proposed shopping centre revolves around F&B streets that straddle its frontage, with IKEA being the anchor tenant, together with a hypermarket, junior anchors and specialty shops.

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