CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced the appointment of Holly Davidson as manager of its future Indianapolis-area store opening Fall 2017 in Fishers, IN. Until IKEA Fishers opens as the 45th U.S. IKEA store and first in Indiana, customers can shop at the Cincinnati-area store in West Chester, OH; Chicago-area IKEA Bolingbrook and IKEA Schaumburg; or online at IKEA-USA.com.
“We are very excited about opening an Indianapolis-area store, where there are many IKEA customers as well as others who may not know us yet, but are anxious for us to open,” said IKEA U.S. president Lars Petersson. “Holly’s retail management background of meeting Indiana customers’ needs represents what we hope to bring to the future IKEA Fishers.”
“IKEA recognizes the customer base that exists in Indiana, so I am pleased about providing the 180,000 customers who currently are shopping at IKEA – as well as future new customers – with a store of their own,” Davidson said. “At the same time, I also am excited about growing IKEA culture among new coworkers from the Indianapolis area.”
A native of southern Indiana, Davidson joined IKEA following successful tenures at two other international retail companies within their respective Indianapolis and/or Midwest regions. Beginning in 1995, she was store manager and then district leader of the leading home movie and video game chain Blockbuster. Ten years later, Davidson was hired as district manager for the leading global coffeehouse chain Starbucks, where she became field implementation manager nearly four years later. In 2009, Davidson became regional director where she served until being recruited by IKEA for the position of store manager of the future IKEA Fishers.
The 289,000-square-foot future IKEA Fishers and its 1,000 parking spaces will be built on 35 acres along the eastern side of Interstate 69, just south of the E. 116th Street exit, approximately 15 miles northeast of downtown Indianapolis. The store reflects the unique architectural design for which IKEA is known worldwide and will include Indiana’s largest retail solar rooftop, consistent with the solar presence at 90% of IKEA U.S. locations.
IKEA Fishers will feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 325-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. And – in addition to 500 jobs expected during construction – 250 coworkers will join the IKEA family when the store opens. Opportunities will be available in Summer 2017 for candidates interested in working at this employer of choice. IKEA Fishers also will provide annual sales and property tax revenue for local governments and schools.
Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 390 IKEA stores in 48 countries, including 43 in the U.S. IKEA has been ranked among “Best Companies to Work For” and, as further investment in its coworkers, has raised its own minimum wage twice in two years. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information see IKEA-USA.com, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.
