Ikea to give UK stores a British makeover

Ikea, the Swedish furniture and homeware store, is to create a range of products specifically designed for a British audience, in a bid to remain the UK's largest retailer of its kind.

The company's UK chief executive, Martin Hansson, says that Britons hanker for darker woods and more muted tones for a more "country" style, in spite of the generally gloomy weather. He also cited much smaller living spaces than in Sweden, adding that the move would make them more "relevant".

Although the recession is said to have cost the furniture industry around £2bn in lost sales, Ikea, famous for its cheap and cheerful flat-pack designs, has seen profits increase from £17m in 2008/09 to £35.7m in 2009/10. Sales climbed one per cent during the period to £1.2bn.

But some aspects, such as sofas and tables named after Swedish places and names, won't be changing. "There won't be a Birmingham or London wardrobe," adds Hansson.

Read a full report at the Guardian. ·