All the talk is about Ikea in India

September 04, 2018

All the talk is about Ikea in India

There has been a lot of talk and media around the first Ikea opening in India and I have had a lot of people send me messages about the grand opening here in Hyderabad. The media hype around the opening was insane here in India. The question of whether the 'Ikea formula' can work in India was a hot topic of conversation and the debate continues as to whether Ikea is a good fit for India and whether India 'needs the Swedes'.

The opening on the 9th August caused traffic chaos and the queues and commotion made headlines globally. The Hyderabad store employs 950 local people and expects to have in excess of 7 million visitors a year. On the first day alone they had over 40,000 through the door and by 2025 they are hoping to have opened 25 stores throughout India. So, I hope the formula works.

From what I can tell, it is obviously popular with expats who are looking to have a quick solution to many household problems, particularly while renting. However, the verdict is still out on whether the novelty of Ikea is what is bringing the locals. I think the consistent quality and service that Ikea provide will make it a success here in India. There are obviously cheaper options in India so Ikea needs to make sure they are price competitive but also able to make a profit.

All in the name of research ( ha ha) and the need for some storage solutions, I made my maiden voyage to Ikea last week. When I visited, I planned to arrive as early as possible, as the mornings are usually quiet in town because most things don't open in India until around 11am. So the plan is always to be in and out by 1pm. The security to get inside is the same as all Indian malls and large stores - bags are checked, you must walk through scanners, seperate male and female scanners, etc. However, inside the store it was quite normal and was just like most other Ikea's I have visited around the world. There are a handful of items that a specifically for the Indian market, such as storage for spices and dosa/roti pans, otherwise it is the same Billy Bookshelves, Ektorp sofas and Ikea ziplock bags. Sorry to disappoint with no stories of crazy things to see and buy.

Sadly, the Indian government will not allow the standard Swedish food items to be sold in India. So, as you leave Ikea in Hyderabad there are no freezers full of meatballs, hotdogs or salmon. Or delicious Daim chocolates or the swedish chocolate balls, or salt candy........ so so sad for this Swedish exchange student. However, they do have some nice Cinnamon buns at the coffee shop :)

Unfortunately, the newly opened Ikea in Hyderabad has been in the news this week for all the wrong reasons. There was a worm/caterpillar found in someones vegetable biryani at the cafe late last week. The local government enforced an 11,500 rupee ($220 AUD) fine on the store and demanded a formal apology from the Ikea store. Who knows what till happen next.

Mikes query on this incident was whether the customer was just upset that his meal was no long vegetarian. The terms vege and non-vege are a staple for us at dinner time now.