CHILE IKEA – Ikea fever hits Chile with launch of chain’s 1st store in South America

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Thousands of people gathered outside a shopping mall in an upscale neighborhood of the Chilean capital for Wednesday morning’s opening of Swedish furniture giant Ikea’s first store in South America.

After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, customers made their way in two lines (for registered and non-registered shoppers) past colorful balloons, the Chilean and Swedish flags and dozens of people dressed in Ikea’s blue and yellow brand colors.