Ikea retailer Ingka Group plans to cut 800 jobs in simplification push

Core Insights - Ingka Group plans to eliminate approximately 800 roles to streamline its organization, aiming for faster decision-making, reduced costs, and ultimately lower prices for customers [1][5] - The CEO, Juvencio Maeztu, emphasized that the organization has become too complex for the current retail environment, which demands speed and agility [2][3] Organizational Changes - The job cuts are part of a broader initiative to simplify operations and align with the company's core value of simplicity [2] - Maeztu stated that the reductions are driven by the company's purpose rather than a focus on maximizing profit, and the company will provide support to affected employees [2][3] Growth and Expansion - Ingka Group has expanded significantly since 2020, growing from around 375 stores to over 640 customer meeting points across 32 countries, including 54 new locations opened in the most recent financial year [3] - The company is also investing in reskilling and upskilling its workforce as part of its growth strategy [3] Future Plans - Ingka Investments acquired logistics technology company Locus in 2025 to enhance delivery reliability for Ikea customers [4] - The company plans to pilot new stores in smaller cities and suburban areas in North America and Europe, with up to 20 new stores expected to open by September, creating 500 jobs [4]