IKEA will unveil a new retail concept in Portugal in its Loulé store, which the company plans to open in 2017. “The project we have here in Loulé is an evolution of what we have in Matosinhos, where we have the connection of the two IKEA store floors,” said António Machado, director of expansion. The innovation allows customers to enter and leave the IKEA store from both levels, something that is not possible in other stores. This 41,000 sqm shopping center (not including the IKEA store) will have 110 stores and restaurants. The Swedish group plans to open Algarve mall in the first months of 2017, after an estimated investment of €200m. The center should employ around 3,000 people, 250 of whom would be employed by IKEA.
