World's largest IKEA opens in Philippines

It opened just in time for Black Friday and to kick-off the holiday shopping season. But you'll have to travel to Manila to take advantage. IKEA, the world's largest furniture retailer, officially opened its largest store ever on Thursday.

The Swedish furniture giant held a gala grand opening at the Mall of Asia complex in Metro Manila. IKEA is known for its modernist designs and eco-friendly simplicity in ready to assemble furniture and appliances.

Earlier KUAM News spoke with IKEA Philippines manager and head of regional market development Georg Platzer, who shared, "Whenever you see an IKEA furniture in a movie, TV show, many people immediately say that's IKEA. It just makes us unique, as I say we have it under control. And we take it very serious so whether it's a simple spoon, or a bookshelf, all the five elements of democratic design play an important role."

 
He says the elements are low prices, quality of product, environmental sustainability,   attractive looks and perhaps most important, functionality. "You might know that very often you see beautiful products, fantastic design, they look nice right, but maybe they even have a good price but then you start using them and you realize that they're not really working as I need them to work, right? So function, functioning is a super important key element for us," said Platzer.

He says IKEA prides itself on its continuous product development and incorporating local designers in the more than fifty countries it serves. Platzer is inviting Guam shoppers who hopefully will be able to travel to Manila soon, to stop by the new largest IKEA in the world, for the unique in-store experience which includes sampling their world famous Swedish meatballs.

"Make sure you feel welcome to join us and take at least two hours of your time. It's going to need two hours and you get all the excitement and inspiration. Promise you now, I promise you now. And I have to come to Guam as well, it should be beautiful to discover, I've never been there," he said.