A trip to IKEA is more than a thrilling excursion into a world of endless possibilities, it’s an addition to our memory banks, fun for the whole family, and the fastest route to making your space your own, and your life easier. This year marks four decades of IKEA’s presence in Kuwait, and 40 years of changing the way we look at utilizing and decorating our homes.
It is a story of generations; children who often frequented IKEA’s first store in Kuwait in 1984 with their parents now find themselves often shopping for solutions for their children. It all began in April of that year in the industrial hub of Shuwaikh, marking the start of a beautiful and long-standing relationship between the brand and the people of Kuwait. The store became an instant hit and even survived the invasion. In this endearing trip down memory lane, we spoke to IKEA employees and customers, and everyone had a beautiful story to tell about their IKEA memories.
“Now we are closer to people. With 6 different customer meeting points and the IKEA website, our customers can choose to meet us wherever they want, whenever they want and however they want to shop.”
Marino Maganto, CEO of IKEA Kuwait, Jordan and Morocco.
“I have been working with Al Homaizi Group since the beginning. I had the honor to work with the founders before the invasion and after liberation. I took part of protecting the IKEA Store during the invasion, by building a wall of steel bars to save the stock. One of my best moments was when IKEA was the first store to open and resume operations after the liberation. We were able to resume our work and operate the store, help others, and recruit employees too,” Board member of Al Homaizi Limited, Adel Al Shamali, tells us.
Twenty-two years later, to the month, IKEA Avenues opened its doors to welcome a new generation of IKEA customers. New customer meeting points followed with 360 MALL in February 2020, Assima Mall in November 2021, Al Khiran in April 2023, and The Warehouse in August 2023, in addition to IKEA omni-channel e-commerce customer meeting points. Emile Shaar, Project Leader – Business Development and Expansion at IKEA, tells us more about IKEA’s growth over the years. “I joined IKEA in March 1993. It is fascinating to see IKEA growing from one small store in Shuwaikh back then to multiple physical retail units today, in addition to our online channel, every milestone has been both remarkable on its own and an opportunity to admire this beautiful retail concept that makes everyone’s everyday life better.”
“This is not just selling furniture, it is a way of doing things, it is about values and it is about people. People are always first. Coworkers and customers.”
Mohamad Ali (Government Relation – IKEA)
As customers, we never see all the work that goes on behind the scenes and all the hard work that takes place for everything to happen. Throughout all the years, IKEA has been a part of many homes and lives, offering inspiration, and solutions and helping people to live a better, every day. IKEA’s vision has always been to be by the side of the people, provide them with affordable solutions that suit their needs, all while crafting the best customer experience ever. A promise that IKEA has kept over the years.
Regardless of the store you head to, once you step inside, you’re enveloped in an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. You can drop your kids off at Småland first so you can focus on your shopping. The little ones are usually more excited than us about the prospects of some fun time in the ball pit and playing with the toys.
“There’s an IKEA couch and a pair of armchairs from the 80s that my mum got as a wedding gift. She and my dad sat in the same armchairs for the wedding. They’ve been reupholstered many times, but are still in her studio at home. It’s not her house without them,”
Omar (Customer)
As you step forward, the vibrant displays beckon you to explore, with the showroom offering a tantalizing glimpse into stylish living spaces. As you meander through the maze of aisles, you can’t help but marvel at the clever designs and ingenious solutions for every room in the house. Testing out the furniture becomes an adventure in itself, as you recline on plush sofas, bounce on cozy beds, and twirl in sleek office chairs, imagining how they would fit into your own home, and stay with us throughout the years. Aziz, an avid IKEA customer, shares, “We have a set of beech wood Billy bookcases that make up our son’s library. They’re actually mine from when I was a kid and they’ve just been moving with me from home to home.”
Along the way, you stumble upon hidden gems, from quirky kitchen gadgets to chic home decor, sparking inspiration at every turn. “I love their kids’ range and random toys, and I buy them all online,” Maha H, IKEA Customer, tells us.
We’re probably guilty of getting lost in the kitchen section the most, choosing new mugs and dishcloths while we daydream about all the fun meals we are going to cook in our new wok. There are always hidden gems that average shoppers don’t make use of; like the fabulous fabric section (we’ve turned them into bespoke curtains and skirts) and some of the best-value charging cables and batteries in the market.
“I can’t count the number of times we were dropped off at Småland while our parents would go shopping at IKEA. Then getting a delicious hotdog on our way out from the Bistro. Now, as we furnish our new home, it’s become a ritual for our son as well.”
Abdullah (Customer)
What sets IKEA apart, is more than the products that line the shelves, it has always been the people. If you’ve ever needed assistance, you’ll know that they will go above and beyond to help you figure things out, and do it with a smile. “What a journey. I have been with IKEA for more than 30 years. I learned a lot and got to meet many people through my work and have many good memories. My special memory was when I was recognized as the company’s best employee in 2007. The most beautiful thing I gained from working with IKEA is the people,” says Mohamad Ali (Government Relations – IKEA).
A pit stop at the IKEA restaurant is a must, where you indulge in their famous meatballs and lingonberry sauce, refueling you for for the rest of your adventure. Or perhaps it is the famous IKEA hotdog at the Bistro, “Yes, the hotdog! It’s always the hotdog. I’ve never been to IKEA and left without one,” shared Amira, an IKEA Customer. But there’s so much more than snacks now. From the delightful Kuwaiti Brunch to the special occasion meals like Iftar during Ramadan, the IKEA restaurant, Cafe and Bistro mark the perfect destination for everyone from larger families to busy shoppers.
“As a child, we’d have our family lunches at the IKEA restaurant on Fridays. It was a time that we would look forward to! I also remember my dad always stopping for a treat like the hotdogs or soft serve ice cream on our way out.”
Alia (Customer)
Armed with a shopping cart, you navigate the aisles in the IKEA Market Hall stocked with household essentials and decorative accents, eagerly snapping up bargains and treasures. As you make your way to the checkout counter, your cart brimming with newfound treasures, you can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Especially if you’ve stopped for an ice cream cone. Loading up your car, you reflect on the day’s adventures, grateful for the fun-filled journey through IKEA’s world of affordable style and endless inspiration.
The IKEA Kuwait story is far from over, it’s only getting started. “Our plan is to be even closer to people of Kuwait. We are committed to offer them better omnichannel shopping experience. Over the years, we developed inspirational stores, optimized existing services and continued with reducing our prices to make IKEA even more affordable to the many people. We have big plans for the upcoming 40 years and we hope to continue inspiring and being inspired by the people of Kuwait. As Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA founder said: “Most things still remain to be done. A glorious future!” said Marino Maganto, CEO of IKEA Kuwait, Jordan and Morocco.
“I also loved their children’s wall lamps, toy storage, and bunk beds with space under for a hiding place. I still do. I remember wanting their bed with a slide too. My best memory is going for steak lunch often, exploring the exhibits, and enjoying the play area,”
Maha O (Customer)
Celebrate 40 amazing years of IKEA by revisiting IKEA the Avenues, IKEA the Warehouse (Sabahiya), IKEA 360, IKEA Assima, IKEA Khiran or shopping online at www.IKEA.com.kw. For more information, please call 184 0408 or follow @IKEAKuwait on Instagram.
