Why IKEA feels women should be allowed to choose their work shifts

Swedish furniture major IKEA is betting big on India, and will be in the country for the next 100 years, the company’s global CEO Juvencio Maeztu says. Excerpts from an interview with HT

Swedish furniture major IKEA is betting big on India, and will be in the country for the next 100 years, the company’s global CEO Juvencio Maeztu told HT. Excerpts.

The next big chain of reforms in India will be labour reforms. Since IKEA will also have to employ thousands of people, what do you think is needed in labour reforms?

For IKEA, diversity is non-negotiable. We feel revision of labour laws is needed to allow women to work in shifts of their choice – late evening or early morning. It also means choice to retailers to employ part-timers in shifts of their choice, and provide customers shop experience around the clock.

Do you think it has become easy for global players to do business in India?

The government has taken several steps to facilitate ease of doing business in India. The approval of Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a very positive step. GST will not only ease product movement in India, but also bring a lot of confidence in global markets for doing business in India. We look forward towards more positive steps in labour law, land acquisition and retail policy.

What are your future investment plans?

We generally invest Rs 500-700 crore per store. We have a long-term view in India, and are looking to open two store per year with the right conditions. Our aim is to open 25 stores by 2025. We are here for the next 100 years.

Are you adding more categories and products to cater specifically to India?

Most of the range we offer in India will be the IKEA global range. However, we will add on some locally relevant unique products, including Tawa, Idly Maker, Kadai and Indian Spice box.

One suggestion you would like to give to your global peers for investing in India?

Take a long term view in India. It’s a growing economy with a very progressive government.

What is the status of your plans to open a store in Delhi-NCR?

Delhi NCR is one of our priority markets and we are scouting for appropriate land for an IKEA store.

Are you adding more categories and products to cater to India specifically?

Most of the range we offer in India will be the IKEA global range, however we will add on some locally relevant unique products such as tawa, idli maker, kadhai, Indian spice box etc.

What is your view on the growing Indian retail market?

The Indian retail market is poised to grow in future. We see great opportunity to connect with the many people in India with our home furnishing solutions and also contribute in growing the Indian home furnishing segment.

E-commerce space is seeing growing competition, how do you see it and place yourself as a lot of players are exist in the furniture space also?

Our main focus now is to open IKEA stores as per the IKEA concept. Today’s consumer wants to interact with their favourite brands with both online and offline channels. We will work with an omni-channel approach to create the best possible offer for our Indian customers.

Read: Ikea India stores to have crèches for female employees