IKEA Welcomes Visitors to its First Store in Jordan

(Jordan, March 26, 2014) - The IKEA Jordan store opened its doors to the public on March 6^th 2014, offering a unique range of home furnishing solutions to the many people. Duringthe first week of its inauguration, IKEA received more than 100,000 visitors, from Amman and other governorates including: Irbid, Zarqa, Salt, Madaba, Aqaba, and Jarash.

In the early hours of the morning, visitors arrived to the airport road for the grand opening, where they were welcomed by the IKEA team with coffee, drinks, and biscuits. At 10 am, the first customer, a 12 year-old girl namedJoud, cut the ribbon to open the doors letting in hundreds of peopleeager to experience IKEA Jordan first hand.

That day, customers enjoyedhours of fun with their families. Against the backdrop of live music, they sampled the traditional Swedish delights served at the IKEA restaurant including the signature Swedish meatballs and the smoked salmon, alongside Jordanian dishes like mansaf or lamb ouzi. The restaurant also offered special menus for the little ones all at very affordable prices.

Prior to the grand public opening, Jordan's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Saif had officially inaugurated the IKEA Jordan store on March 5^th 2014 in a ceremonial event.The event took on a Swedish theme characterized by the cutting of a tree log, and was also attended by the Ambassador of Sweden, government officials, media representatives, businessmen, distinguished figures in the Jordanian society, and representatives of IKEA.

"We consider the inauguration of IKEA Jordan a milestone in our history, and a remarkable achievement made within our expansion strategy.Our strategy is founded on IKEA's plans for penetrating new markets and to ensure that IKEA is present within the close and easy reach of the many people around the world," said Chairman of SYH Retail, owner of the franchisee that operates the IKEA brand in Jordan, Kuwait and Morocco Mr. Saleh Yacoub Al Homaizi.

"The in-store experience we offer in Jordan falls in-line with the standards set by the IKEA brand globally, and at the same time, a big effort has been made in order to secure that the solutions and services offered by IKEA Jordan are relevant to suit the needs and tastes of Jordanians. The experience we offer is built on offering good quality products and services at affordable

prices, making a trip to IKEA Jordan a fun day out that the whole family can enjoy," added CEO of SYH Retail Mr. Marino Maganto.

To date, IKEA Jordan has created more than 400 sustainable jobs and it contributes significantly to enhancing its co-workers capacities through specialized training.

The IKEA Jordan store comprises a 35,000 sqm building. The ground floor includes a 1020-space parking area, with reserved spaces for families and visitors with special needs. The first and second floors contain the IKEA store, including the inspirational Showroom, the Market Hall, the Self-Serve area and the restaurant that can cater more than 600 guests. On the ground floor customers can find the café and the children's play area, Småland.

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About IKEA
IKEA is the Swedish leading home furnishings company with 346 stores worldwide that employs around 151,000 co-workers in 43 countries.

IKEA offers well designed, good quality home furnishings solutions at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them.

Simply put, IKEA home furnishings make it possible to turn dreams into reality and create homes to love living in.