IKEA unfazed by Rachel Reeves’s tax because it makes pledge to UK High Street | UK | News | EUROtoday

Matt Gould, market supervisor for IKEA London City, mentioned IKEA was not phased about Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ hike to employers National Insurance and that the corporate was dedicated to investing in its employees. The supervisor was speaking to the Daily Express as IKEA prepares to open its first metropolis centre retailer on the previous Top Shop constructing in Oxford Circus, in London’s West End.

Gould, 27, who began his profession at IKEA Warrington at 16, mentioned: “IKEA will continue to invest in its staff. We had a record number of people applying to us. Over 3,000 applicants for 150 jobs.” The opening on London’s Oxford Street on May 1 can be adopted by one other metropolis centre retailer in Brighton, whereas smaller IKEAs will open in Chester, Norwich and Harlow later this yr. The newer shops have round 5,000 sq ft ground house versus 30,000 sq ft on common in IKEA’s bigger so-called Blue Box shops.

Gould mentioned the enlargement of its metropolis shops meant it might attain extra prospects with its reasonably priced vary. Gould additionally mentioned that the National Insurance hike had not impacted IKEA’s recruitment plans and that its long-term technique remained to open extra shops within the UK.

He mentioned: “When people do come to the high street, they want to speak to co-workers. They want that human interaction. So we’ve done a lot of work, and we’ve invested more in co-workers here in Oxford Street than we have before.”

He additionally confirmed that every one 4 shops could be opened by the top of the yr, with Brighton resulting from begin buying and selling this summer time.

When it involves the opposite three shops, Chester, Harlow and Norwich, IKEA had “started recruitment, we’ve started to fit out. So we’ve started those processes”.

Gould additionally mentioned that IKEA was wanting past the present crop of openings and its goal could be metropolis centres.

He mentioned: “We do need to become more accessible. Today, city centres are ultimately where we feel that we can be accessible, where it is more from a convenience point of view, where people can come to pop in and out.” He added that IKEA would look to open shops “where our customers are”.

IKEA’s newest opening follows an intensive renovation of the Grade II-listed constructing at 214 Oxford Street by Ingka Investments, the funding arm of Ingka Group.

Peter Jelkeby, CEO and chief sustainability officer, IKEA UK, mentioned: “It will be an IKEA many know and love, with some new features exclusive to this iconic city centre store. Created in collaboration with real voices and with Londoners in mind, opening our doors is a landmark moment following a meticulous renovation and we are truly excited to share it.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Oxford Street is one of the most famous shopping destinations in the world and we want to give it a new lease of life. This involves attracting brilliant companies like IKEA, which will help to create new jobs and increase footfall.