Swedish home furnishing retailer, IKEA commemorates 25 years since welcoming visitors to its first store in Karama, Dubai in 1991 with Life@Home exhibition.
Kicking off the 25 year celebrations, IKEA has unveiled its Life@Home exhibit at the Dubai Design Week, which focuses on the theme of yesterday, today and the new tomorrow. Vinod Jayan, Regional General Manager – IKEA UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Oman explains, “Following our recent Catalogue launch with the strong sentiment of un-following expectations and doing things different; this year, to mark this milestone celebration in the UAE, we’ve decided to bring our home furnishing knowledge and design innovation to Dubai Design Week.”
The Life@Home exhibit is reminiscent of IKEA’s journey globally, and right here in the UAE over the last quarter of a century. Taking a walk through the past, there’s a look back on IKEA’s history – where it all began 73 years ago – and its Swedish roots. A reflection on the present is clearly showcased through IKEA’s Democratic Design concept – which ensures five key elements: quality, affordability, functionality, good form and sustainability, when designing and manufacturing IKEA products – all clearly defined in a vast Democratic Home which is built as a key attraction within the exhibition. And looking towards tomorrow, what better way to approach design of the future than discovering living trends of the future through IKEA’s life at home report – which delivers a better understanding of people’s needs, aspirations and dreams for a better everyday life at home.
“This is a very exciting time for the IKEA and the Al-Futtaim group. With parallel core values, a strong people-focused approach and a dedicated team of coworkers, together we have been able to grow and develop the IKEA brand within the UAE over the last 25 years – a feat aptly mirroring the vast and rapid development of the country. Over the years the biggest and most valuable contributor to the success of IKEA in the region has been the people – whose homes we’ve been welcomed into, to share our home furnishing knowledge. The residents of the UAE inspire us to constantly strive for better ways of doing things, and we would like to sincerely thank you for your continued love and trust in the brand”, continues Vinod.
“It has been a wonderful journey thus far, but our journey is only just beginning. We look forward to many more years of inspiring a better everyday life at home for the people of UAE. In the words of our founder, Ingvar Kamprad, most things still remain to be done. A glorious future!”
As part of the ongoing celebrations, the IKEA stores in Dubai Festival City, Yas Island Abu Dhabi and Bawadi Mall Al Ain have planned exclusive products deals, cash back offers and new specialty dishes at the IKEA restaurants; together with a host of family friendly activities that includes home furnishing master classes, children’s craft workshops, cooking classes, games with prizes and entertainment.