IKEA opens in Abu Dhabi, largest in Mid East.

IKEA UAE, part of the Al Futtaim group, yesterday opened its largest Middle East store on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island and said it anticipates nearly 1.3 million visitors in the first year.

Omar Al Futtaim, vice chairman of the  Al Futtaim Group said: “The IKEA concept is really proven worldwide, it is a school in itself because it trains people, it gives the consumer an opportunity for an affordable product and they do well during 
times of recession.”

He also said he hoped the new store would encourage more people to visit the Yas Island development, and said the firm was preparing to roll-out IKEA developments in Qatar and Cairo.

At the opening of the 33,000 sq metres store, the firm’s leaders decided upon a ‘log cutting’ (below) instead of a traditional ribbon cutting.

Operations at IKEA’s Abu Dhabi Marina Mall store have now ceased.