Ikea Saga Close

What the rest of the world can, Thailand can! After years of rumors and denials and expansion attempts and retreats the long-awaited Ikea brand may finally make it to Thailand.

“Siam Future Development Plc (SF) announced a joint venture with foreign and Thai partners to develop a 10-billion-baht home furnishing center” bringing Ikea to Thailand, we learn from the Bangkok Post.

Point is, the looming price war could mean a true awakening for Thai furniture exporters. But many manufacture for Ikea already. A win-win for all. Still, they fought Ikea’s arrival for years. But what I’m really fearing: Ikea will be aiming at Bangkok’s upper middle class.

A pseudo-DIY market. Customers wouldn’t be required to assemble a single piece of furniture by themselves. Many brands that arrived in Thailand rebranded themselves to target upmarket.

And imagine all the howls that Ikea will kill local small businesses in Thailand … Construction for Ikea’s first home in Thailand at Mega Bangna shall commence in the third quarter and be completed by 2011.

Andrew over at Bangkok Bugle has a nice timeline covering the Thailand Ikea Saga.




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May 12, 2009 | Filed Under Being Farang, Business & Economics, Property & Investment 

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