‘I’m rapt!’: meatball chants but no mania as New Zealand assembles for first Ikea store

The GuardianThursday, December 4, 2025 at 3:37:44 AM
‘I’m rapt!’: meatball chants but no mania as New Zealand assembles for first Ikea store
  • New Zealand has officially opened its first Ikea store, much to the excitement of locals, including Annie Sattler, who has waited 25 years since emigrating from Germany. Overnight camping was prohibited, and motorists were advised to plan their journeys as the store welcomed its first customers after a long anticipation since the store's announcement seven years ago.
  • This development signifies a significant milestone for Ikea as it expands its presence in New Zealand, catering to a market that has long awaited the brand's flatpack furniture and Swedish meatballs, potentially boosting local retail and consumer choices.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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