He said yes! Ikea coming to Christchurch thanks to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Friday, 21 February 2020
Lobbying from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to pump investment into the South Island has helped Christchurch secure its own IKEA store.
For months after the Swedish furniture giant announced it would set up shop in New Zealand, details as to where and when the stores would open have been limited.
But a letter from IKEA chief executive Jesper Brodin to Ardern confirmed a 'smaller-format store' would open in the garden city, inspired by a conversation between the two at the World Economic Forum last year.
'Since we last spoke at Davos [in the Swiss Alps] we have been working hard to ensure IKEA can reach as many Kiwis as possible,' Brodin wrote.
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'During our conversation, I remember you advocating strongly for investment in New Zealand's South Island … I promised I would ensure IKEA consider this for future expansion considerations.'
On Friday, the company announced it would open a full-sized Ikea store in the greater Auckland area where people can access the entire range, a planning studio in Wellington, and a second smaller-format store in Christchurch.
ChristchurchNZ business and innovation general manager Richard Sandford said the store could bring customers from around the wider Canterbury region, and the entire South Island, to the city for shopping and act as a tourist destination.
Anything that 'raised the profile' of Christchurch helped put the city on the international map.
The South Island offered a 'broad catchment' of customers, with buyers likely to travel from as far as Nelson and Invercargill, he said.
Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson acknowledged rival furniture stores could feel the pinch from the competition, but noted most Christchurch-based furniture retailers catered to a higher-end market.
'For a big, international brand to invest in Christchurch sends a really positive signal and we've seen some really good signs in the last six months of increased foot traffic in the central city so the timing is right.'
The small-format Ikea stores can range in size and have already been rolled out in parts of the USA, Canada and Australia. The stores usually have only a partial range of the company's designs, with bigger items not on display but available to order for delivery.
Exact locations and times for the New Zealand stores have not been released.
Brodin also congratulated Ardern on securing legislation that would lead to New Zealand cutting carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, and said her leadership was 'inspiring for us all'.
'[It] gives great hope to those of us working on the EU Green Deal. Our aim is to make the EU the world's first carbon neutral continent.'
Brodin said there needed to be tangible commitments from businesses and governments to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. He hoped Ardern would inspire 'serious action' in the run up to COP 26, the 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Glasgow.
Ikea New Zealand retail manager Jan Gardberg said the company was looking forward to making it to New Zealand. More information would be released in the coming months.
'While planning has been under way, we have also been getting to know more about life at home in New Zealand,' Gardberg said.
The company previously said it expected to create up to 400 jobs once fully operational in New Zealand.