KUWAIT CITY: IKEA Kuwait announced the launch of its Corporate Citizenship program in concurrence with its silver jubilee celebrations in Kuwait Tuesday at a press conference held at the company showroom in the Avenues Mall. Company chairman Saleh Al-Humaizi said the program will support non-profit organizations in Kuwait that provide services to the local community. "Through the program the government hospitals in the state will be able to do up their waiting lobbies to provide visitors and patients a more pleasant ambience." IKEA, the chairman added, is already known for its social responsibility initiatives and environmental consciousness, "which has led to extensive use of recycled and eco-friendly materials in IKEA products. We also expressed our solidarity with carbon-conscious organizations the world over by observing the 'no-lights' hour recently on Earth Day." Al-Homaizi remembered the initial days of IKEA in Kuwait, 25 years ago, and how the company had to co-opt local factors into IKEA's international business model to make the brand more suited to the needs of the local population.
Unique
Further he noted: "The single most important factor that has enabled us to enjoy market leadership, is the unique business philosophy that we set out with 25 years ago. "As way back as 1984, we had a sustainable approach towards business. While this approach is based on economies of scale and cost-efficiency, it does not compromise on sound quality, appealing design or a wide range of both functional and aesthetic choice. As a result, we have been well-positioned to offer value-for-money to different segments of customers." As key milestones in the company's journey in the last 25 years, Al-Humaidi noted that the showroom began with an area of 3,800 sq m and has now grown to 21,000 sqm. "We had a total of more than 60,000 visitors annually in 1984, and today the figure averages over 2 million.
"IKEA Kuwait has progressively impacted the quality of people's lives by being highly responsive to customers' needs." As an example of the company's concern for the society, the chairman remembered IKEA's reopening in 1991 following Kuwait's liberation, when it sold the newly arrived collection at pre-invasion prices.
"IKEA Kuwait has been rated in various independent studies as the best shopping destination across the region with unmatchable customer service standards which it will maintain to be the best family shopping destination.
"Recently, IKEA also featured among the first ever list of Kuwait Superbrands."
Al-Homaizi, talking about the events in the pipeline as part of the silver jubilee celebrations, mentioned a visual exhibition showcasing the achievements of IKEA Kuwait and weekly tributes to Kuwaiti artists to celebrate Kuwait's cultural heritage.
By Valiya S. Sajjad
© Arab Times 2009
