Last Jul 27, Inquirer.net reported that Ikea, known for its affordable range of ready-to-assemble Scandinavian-style furniture, could soon be opening in Manila.
The report didn’t contain any other details about the Ikea opening in the Philippines. It only said: “Stay tuned for further details of IKEA’s ‘grand entrance’ into the Philippines.”
So, it looks like we need to just wait for those “further details.” Then again, we can hardly be blamed for being a bit impatient.
The “Ikea is coming to the Philippines” buzz has been going on for years.
In fact, a July 2013 Philippine Daily Inquirer report, had announced: “Local firm Blims Fine Furniture is hoping to bag a partnership with the world’s biggest furniture retailer Inter Ikea Systems B.V. (Ikea), which is reportedly eyeing potential opportunities for expansion here in the Philippines.”
After that particular report, nothing comes up about the Blims-Ikea partnership. Obviously, it didn’t happen back then.
In Nov 2015, Mike King — Ikea retail manager for Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand — told Thai newspaper The Nation that they were “looking for business partners in Vietnam and the Philippines to capitalize on the urbanization in Southeast Asia.” King was quoted as saying, “The two new branches will possibly be erected within five years.”
As such, a Dec 2015 report on Inside Retail Asia noted that Ikea “plans to open at least one store a year in Southeast Asia.” The report explained: “The next two markets in its sights are the Philippines and Vietnam.”
Now, it’s 2016 and we’re still waiting for “further details.”
