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IKEA Opens First Store in New Zealand, Brings Home Furnishings Virtually Across Country
Up to 20,000 visitors daily expected at IKEA's first New Zealand store, causing up to 40-minute traffic delays on nearby motorways, officials said.
- On December 4, IKEA opened its first New Zealand store at Sylvia Park in Mt Wellington, a 34,000 square-metre site employing 500 people.
- Years of anticipation followed IKEA's 2019 expansion announcement, with Bernie driving over two-and-a-half hours and IKEA researching more than 500 New Zealand homes to tailor its offer.
- Auckland Transport and NZTA urged road users to plan ahead and allow extra time, while ATOC Manager Claire Howard said teams expect substantial crowds and are managing signals, diversions, and staffing.
- Drivers face warnings of lengthy queues and long waits today as analysts predict crowds of up to 20,000 a day, with 40-minute delays on Mt Wellington Highway and up to an hour to park.
- Retail leaders said IKEA's launch as an omni-channel retailer, with store, app, e-commerce, and 29 pickup points, shows long-term roots, Retail Manager Tolga Oncu said, while competitors plan revamps in 2026.
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Authorities had to order a ban on camping in front of the store, and traffic warnings for heavy traffic were broadcast on the radio.
Crowds flock to opening of New Zealand's first IKEA store
Customers surge through the doors at the opening of the IKEA store in Sylvia Park today. Photos supplied Swedish retail chain IKEA has finally opened its doors in New Zealand with the launch of its first store at Sylvia Park in Auckland, alongside nationwide online shopping. In addition to more than 7,500 sustainable, high-quality home furnishing products housed in the 34,000 m² store, shoppers also have access to a full suite of services includ…
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Total News Sources22
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution66% Center
Bias Distribution
- 66% of the sources are Center
66% Center
L 27%
C 66%
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