New Ikea store for Belgium

15 October 2004

BRUSSELS – Ikea is to celebrate its 20th anniversary in Belgium by opening a new store in Anderlecht.

The store, to be located at 1432 Chausee de Mons, will be opened in March next year.

The blue and yellow building will be a similar size to the company’s existing store in Zaventem, with a total surface area of 28,000 square metres.

“Our growth is the evidence of our success,” the proud director of Ikea Belgium, Staffan Jeppsson, told the press.

Jeppsson claimed Ikea products were a source of inspiration, a style of living, characterised by quality, comfort and an open spirit.

The megastore will employ 350 people, mainly unskilled workers from Brussels.

“We are rejoicing over this commitment to recruit workers from Brussels,” said mayor of Anderlecht, Jacques Simonet.

He insisted that the suburb would benefit from the million and a half visitors expected to visit the shop annually.

Ikea has also taken measures to reduce any negative consequences for Anderlecht, by situating the store on the outskirts of the town.

The site will be serviced by good bus and metro links and there will be parking for at least 1,352 cars.

The building will consist of two floors, with a 5500 square metre showroom, and a 650 seat restaurant.

It will also be equipped with a 150 square metre teenage zone, where younger customers will be able to listen to music or surf the internet.

Subject: Belgian news