Furniture and homeware retailer IKEA has reported that its total sales have increased 7.1% to €34.2 billion in the year to 31st August with 783 million customers visiting its stores.

Adjusted for currency impact, total sales rose 7.9%. On a like-for-like basis store sales were up 4.8%.
The company stated that Germany was its biggest market, with the US not far behind. China continues to be one of Ikea’s fastest growing markets along with Poland, Australia and Canada and expansion plans are also continuing for Ikea to open its first stores in Serbia and India.

President and chief executive of Ikea, Peter Agnefjall, commented: “In all of our meetings with the customers, we want to provide good quality products and inspiration for creating beautiful homes. Last year’s focus on the theme “It starts with the Food”, covering kitchen, cooking, eating, and the food-business, was a strong success and appreciated by the customers.”

In the company’s annual report, they opened 12 new stores and 19 smaller pick-up and order points around the world. They also opened smaller stores in Aberdeen, Norwich, Westfield Stratford in London and Birmingham, as well as a pop-up DIY restaurant and food store in Shoreditch, London.

Mr Agnefjall, continued: “In the coming year we will put even more effort in providing a great IKEA-experience for visitors across all channels. These efforts are only made possible by the engaged co-workers who have, as always, done an amazing job during the year.”