Should there be an IKEA in Thunder Bay?

THUNDER BAY – Editorial – There is talk about Thunder Bay working hard to bring a Costco to our city. Another large store looking to expand is IKEA. Company President Peter Agnefjäll says “People´s needs and dreams of a better living and life at home are the foundation of our business. I am very proud to lead a company that strives to offer products of high quality and great design at prices affordable to as many people as possible.”

On September 1, 2013 Agnefjäll became President and CEO of the IKEA Group.

 Agnefjäll is tasked with carrying on IKEA’s ambitious growth strategy, aiming to double the operations in size by 2020 to make IKEA accessible for more people. 

IKEA is present in over 40 countries all over the world, including Canada where there are stores in many other Canadian cities.

Agnefjäll states, “IKEA is in a fantastic situation – we are still small in most markets and have the financial strength to think long term. One of the main reasons why I joined IKEA is that it is a truly values-based company that wants to have a positive impact on people and communities. This is why sustainability is an integrated part in everything we do. Sustainability should not be a luxury but affordable to the many people”.

IKEA offers interesting and affordable furniture and is a pretty stylish store with a socially responsible attitude. That is something that fits into the ‘Emerging Thunder Bay’ attitude of a progressive and engaging city.

There is a downside to big box stores, they do impact the small business sector. However in today’s growing digital market, many people are either shopping online, or travelling outside Thunder Bay to shop at stores in the United States or to Winnipeg or even Toronto. 

James Murray