IKEA update

Alright folks, here is the scoop, I received an email from Mr. Joseph Roth of IKEA who informed me of the real deal. I have copied it into this update, below it is the original news release from September 08.



Hi Marilyn -

I read with great interest your inquiry about plans for IKEA to come to
Colorado. We appreciate your eagerness so I am happy to refer you to the
attached news release from last September. Since then, we have received
approvals from the city and closed on the land for the future IKEA Centennial.

However, a targeted opening date is still yet to be determined based on our
distribution network and business needs.

IKEA long has recognized the potential customer base that would exist for us
in Colorado, and is excited now to have made progress toward bringing the
unique shopping experience closer to the many existing and future customers in
the state.

Feel free to contact me directly with any specific questions.

Thanks much,

Joseph


Contact: Joseph Roth, U.S. Public Affairs
September 10, 2008



SWEDISH HOME FURNISHINGS RETAILER IKEA ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR
A DENVER-AREA STORE IN CENTENNIAL, COLORADO – THE 1ST IN STATE


IKEA Centennial would extend western presence into Rocky Mountain Region
CONSHOHOCKEN, PA – IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today
announced it is submitting plans to the City of Centennial, Colorado for a store that would
increase the Swedish retailer’s presence in the western United States. Submitting an
application to the City marks the beginning of the governmental approval process. A store
opening date has not yet been determined. Until IKEA Centennial opens, customers can shop
nearby IKEA stores in Draper, UT; Tempe, AZ; or online at www.IKEA-USA.com.
Located 15 miles south of Downtown Denver, the 400,000-square-foot proposed IKEA
Centennial, with 1,700 parking spaces, would be built on 13.5 acres along the western side of
Interstate-25 in the Park Meadows area, accessible from connections to the Dry Creek Road or
County Line Road exits. Store plans reflect the same unique architectural design for which
IKEA stores are known worldwide.
“We are thrilled to submit plans for IKEA Centennial where we can build upon our western
U.S. presence,” said Doug Greenholz, U.S. real estate manager for IKEA. “This proposed IKEA
store would bring existing Colorado customers a store of their own and would introduce other
Coloradans to the unique IKEA product selection and family-friendly shopping experience.”
IKEA Centennial would feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational
room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 350-seat
restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon
plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features would include a ‘Children’s
IKEA’ area in the showroom, baby-care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout
the store.
In addition to 500 jobs that are expected to be created during the construction phase,
approximately 400 coworkers would join the IKEA family when the new store opens. IKEA
Centennial would provide significant annual sales and property tax revenue for local
governments and schools. “We also would look forward to being a partner with the local
community,” added Greenholz.
There are more than 280 IKEA stores in 36 countries, including 35 in the U.S., where other new
stores are being planned in: Charlotte, NC; Somerville, MA; and Tampa, FL. IKEA believes home
is the most important place in the world and, since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered a
wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at low prices so the
majority of the people can afford them. IKEA has been ranked in FORTUNE’s annual “100 Best
Companies to Work For” list (three years in a row), Working Mother magazine’s annual list of
“100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” (four years in a row) and Training magazine’s annual
“Top 100” ranking of companies that excel at human capital development (five years in a row).
IKEA incorporates environmentally and socially responsible efforts into day-to-day business, and
continually supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. For
information about IKEA, please go to www.IKEA-USA.com


For more info: IKEA.com