IKEA Charlotte to Offer Chairs, Gift Cards, Food, Log-Sawing with Mayor When 1ST Store in Carolinas Opens February 18

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced that when its Charlotte store opens on February 18, it will recognize loyal, enthusiastic customers by giving away thousands of dollars in gift cards and merchandise – including an iconic Scandinavian armchair for each of the first 100 adults in line. (Customers may begin lining up at 9 a.m. EST on Monday, February 16 in advance of the doors opening at 9 a.m. EST on Wednesday, February 18, 2009.) Additionally, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory will join IKEA U.S. president Mike Ward, and IKEA Charlotte store manager Richard Castanon in the official opening ceremony that will inaugurate the new store.

“Just as our store will bring the unique IKEA family-friendly shopping experience to the greater Charlotte area and throughout the Carolinas, we are thrilled to offer promotions to ensure that waiting in line to visit IKEA Charlotte will be an exciting and memorable event”

IKEA Charlotte will be the Swedish company’s 1^st store and restaurant destination in North Carolina, 5^th in the Southeast, 36^th in the U.S., and 294^th worldwide. The 356,000-square-foot IKEA Charlotte is located on 25 acres in the University City area at the northeast corner of I-85 and City Boulevard. The store employs more than 400 coworkers and features 10,000 exclusively-designed items, a 350-seat IKEA Restaurant, 49 inspirational room settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area and approximately 1,700 parking spaces. Other IKEA stores in the Southeast are located in Atlanta, GA; Orlando, FL; Sunrise, FL; and Woodbridge, VA. A store also is scheduled to open Summer 2009 in Tampa, FL.

The February 18 ceremony also will include Charlotte District 4 Councilmember Michael Barnes raising the U.S. flag, Honorary Swedish Consul for the Carolinas Magnus Natt och Dag raising the Swedish flag and Mecklenburg County District 3 Commissioner George Dunlap raising the North Carolina flag. Entertainment for customers waiting in line will begin at 6 a.m. EST. “Just as our store will bring the unique IKEA family-friendly shopping experience to the greater Charlotte area and throughout the Carolinas, we are thrilled to offer promotions to ensure that waiting in line to visit IKEA Charlotte will be an exciting and memorable event,” said Richard Castanon, IKEA Charlotte store manager.

Visitors to the store will have many opportunities to benefit from IKEA Charlotte’s grand opening.

Take a Seat (And We Mean Take It!) – The first 100 adults (18 and over) in line at the IKEA Charlotte grand opening on February 18, 2009 will receive a free POÄNG armchair.
Pick a Card, Any Card – The first 2,500 people to visit IKEA Charlotte on February 18, 2009 will receive a random prize envelope with IKEA Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $250, or a “Buy One, Get One Free” cinnamon bun, hotdog or frozen yogurt voucher.
You Say It's Your Birthday – Visitors who bring proof to IKEA Charlotte on February 18 that it is their birthday will receive a $10 gift card.
For the (Truly) Young at Heart – The first 100 children (under 18) in line at IKEA Charlotte’s grand opening on February 18, 2009 will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped cushion.
Enter to Win When Entering our Home – From February 18 through February 22, 2009, visitors to IKEA Charlotte may enter a drawing to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards. IKEA will match the prizes (a total of $10,000) with a donation of home furnishings to ‘Classroom Central,’ a local provider of school supplies to teachers of underprivileged children.
Play Big and Eat Big (If You’re Little!) – Entertainment for kids such as balloon artists and face-painting will take place at IKEA Charlotte from February 18 through February 22. Kids also can enjoy a macaroni-and-cheese meal with a fountain drink for 99¢.

IKEA CHARLOTTE AT-A-GLANCE

IKEA Charlotte Offers…

Low prices for well-designed, stylish, functional furnishings for every room in the home.
49 inspirational room-settings and three model homes reflecting a variety of living situations with creative design ideas that can be brought to life in any room in the home.
More than 10,000 exclusively designed home furnishings ranging from beds, desks and sofas to cookware, pet products, and kitchens complete with cabinetry and appliances.
Same-day shopping satisfaction with products in easy-to-transport flat-pack boxes that benefit the customer and the environment.

IKEA Charlotte is a Fun Day Out for the Family with…

Småland, a supervised children’s play area (for children who meet the 37”-54” height requirement) that replicates the look of a typical Swedish farmhouse and forest.
Additional play areas throughout the store, offering activities for kids shopping with parents.
A “Children’s IKEA” area in the Showroom that also offers fun, interactive play.
Attention-to-detail amenities such as family-friendly parking, strollers and baby care rooms.

No Need to Shop on an Empty Stomach at IKEA Charlotte …

Beginning February 19, the IKEA Restaurant will open 30 minutes earlier than the store for a full hot breakfast, including scrambled eggs, potatoes and bacon for only 99¢.
The 350-seat restaurant also offers lunch, dinner, snacks and dessert, with a diverse menu, including traditional Swedish specialties such as the popular IKEA Swedish meatballs, shrimp sandwiches and salmon platters, as well as pasta, chicken and vegetarian dishes.
Menu choices for kids include a child’s portion of Swedish meatballs or macaroni and cheese, while baby food, bottle warmers and bibs are available for even younger visitors.
A Bistro near the store’s exit serves hot dogs, cinnamon buns, frozen yogurt and beverages.
The Swedish Foodmarket offers Swedish delicacies, treats, and even frozen Swedish meatballs (the same ones served in the store’s Restaurant) to purchase and then prepare at home.

IKEA Charlotte Shopping Conveniences…

Customers can pick-up catalogs at the store and also receive help from a furnishings consultant.
Measuring tape, pencils, store maps, yellow shopping bags and 3 types of carts are available.
Many conventional and self-checkouts ensure efficient customer purchasing.
Home-delivery, assembly, kitchen installation and rent-a-van services can be arranged at store.

When IKEA Charlotte opens, there will be 294 IKEA stores in 36 countries, including 36 in the U.S., where new stores are being planned in: Centennial, CO; Somerville, MA; and Tampa, FL. IKEA believes home is the most important place in the world and, since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA has been ranked in FORTUNE’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list (three years in a row), Working Mother magazine’s annual list of “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” (four years in a row) and Training magazine’s annual “Top 100” ranking of companies that excel at human capital development (five years in a row). IKEA incorporates environmentally and socially responsible efforts into day-to-day business, and continually supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. For information about IKEA, please go to www.IKEA-USA.com.