GOYANG, KOREA - IKEA, the world's largest furniture retailer, will open an outlet in Goyang City in the northwest of Seoul, following its decision to open Korea's first store in Gwangmyeong in the south of the capital.

 

IKEA Korea said on December 23 that it has purchased a 51,297-square-meter site in Wonheung, near Goyang City's Haengshin district, from the Korea Land and Housing Corp. This is a decision to open a second outlet immediately after the opening of the first store in Gwangmyeong in November next year.

 

An IKEA Korea official said, "The Wonheung store is only 12 kilometers away from the Seoul City Hall in downtown and visitors to the store can drive to the location through the Riverside North Expressway. Other visitors coming from Seoul's suburbs can arrive conveniently through the Seoul Outer-ring Beltway."

 

Established in 1943, the Swedish company posted US$37.8 billion in sales revenue and $4.8 billion in operating income in 2012. IKEA's furniture and appliances are known for their modern architectural designs and eco-friendly simplicity.