Swedish furniture giant IKEA has revealed the opening date for country’s flagship store in Auckland.
This morning, it announced the store in Auckland’s Sylvia Park would open to the public on December 4.
In July, the company signalled it would be open in time for the busy Christmas shopping period.
Mirja Viinanen, CEO and chief sustainability officer for IKEA Australia and New Zealand, said: “I’m proud we can finally deliver the good news to New Zealanders that exactly three months from today, on December 4, IKEA will open its doors, both physically and online.
“We appreciate the excitement shown by Kiwis and are grateful for the country’s patience as we have been busy laying the foundations of our first home in Aotearoa.”
Construction on the 34,000 square-metre store began in June 2023, and progress on the store has been watched with much anticipation.
Work was completed on an external warehouse near Auckland Airport in December last year.
IKEA New Zealand market manager Johanna Cederlöf said: “My team and I are eagerly counting down the days until December 4 when we will welcome our first New Zealand customers.
“For many, it will be their very first experience of what it is like being in an IKEA store – surrounded by inspiring home furnishing solutions, tailored to New Zealand homes and the way we live.”
In August, the company offered a first glimpse at some of the most popular products that would be on offer at the new store.
The products were selected after Ikea commissioned a Life at Home Report New Zealand, which delved into what Kiwis want to see on its shelves.
Items included a Mackapär shoe rack, Kallax shelving unit, Billy bookcase, Uppdatera storage box and Ikea 365+ food storage.
The store was also expected to have the staple Swedish dishes featured in its restaurants abroad, including the popular Swedish meatballs.
The New Zealand operation will be run by Ingka Group, which represents about 90% of IKEA stores globally.