IKEA Grows In The Midwest
By George Anderson
A piece in the Chicago Tribune says Bolingbrook’s (Il.) gain is Chicago’s loss.
The loss referred to is the decision by the Swedish furniture retailer, IKEA, to build its newest store in suburban Bolingbrook rather than in the city.
The decision to build a second store in the Chicagoland area was made necessary by the customer traffic and sales volume at the company’s first area store in Schaumburg. That
location is said to draw about 9,000 customers a day and it generates more revenues than any other company location.
Moderator’s Comment: What makes IKEA so successful?
According to the Chicago Trib report, “IKEA has 198 stores in more than 30 countries, including 18 in the United States. Its 19th, and second in the Midwest,
will open next week in Bloomington, Minn. The 61-year-old merchant aims to open about five new U.S. stores a year.” –
George Anderson – Moderator
