IKEA said it had become the UK’s leading home furnishings retailer after seeing its sales edge ahead during a difficult year for the sector.
The Swedish furniture giant yesterday said like-for-like sales in the UK and Ireland, where it has 19 stores, had risen by 1% during the 12 months to the end of August to £1.2bn.
The sluggish growth bucked the trend for the home furnishings sector, with the market shrinking by 7.4% during 2009 as consumers tightened their belts. As a result, the rise was enough to give Ikea a 6% market share, making it the UK’s most popular supplier of everything for the home from beds and tables to curtains and rugs for the first time, according to figures compiled by Verdict Consulting.
Growth in kitchen sales was particularly strong during the year.
The group said its new full kitchen service package, under which it will plan, deliver and install kitchens, had proved to be very popular since its launch.
