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WHO gets excited about going to Ikea? We do!
The Swedish store is more of a fun day out for the whole family than a shopping trip and people living in Hyderabad are about to get their very own slice of flat packed furniture heaven.
The Ikea concept started back in the 1940s when Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd began selling self-assembly furniture.
Ikea’s cobalt blue and sunshine yellow trademark colors are now recognizable in 38 countries around the world with a total of 313 stores worldwide.
Actually, make that 39 countries and 314 stores as Ikea Hyderabad opens its shiny doors.
Originally, the 13-acre store was due to open in July, but Ikea postponed its launch as it wanted more time to ensure quality in every part of the store.
Inside the store, customers will find two entirely furnished homes which represent “Life at home in Hyderabad.” These mock-houses will display some of the 7,500 items available for purchase in store.
Around the store, you will see multiple other stylishly fitted bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens to inspire your interior design flair.
Feel free to bounce on the beds, fluff up the pillow, pretend you’re having a dinner party, or brushing your teeth in these display rooms.
Ikea lounge showroom. Source: Shutterstock
You needn’t worry about spending a fortune either as Ikea has announced that around 1,000 of its items are available for less than US$15.
If you’re thinking to yourself, “I have no idea how to assemble furniture, let alone install a kitchen!” Fear not, because Ikea is setting up a 150-member team which will help you make your furniture at home.
And you needn’t worry about the littluns getting bored and throwing a tantrum either as Smaland will keep the kids entertained while mum and dad shop. The only rule is that they must wear socks.
Ikea restaurant. Source: Shutterstock
When the shopping is done and the kids are all played out, and the wonderous Ikea experience is drawing to a close, shoppers can indulge in a delicious dinner in the famous Ikea restaurant.
Hyderabad’s Ikea restaurant is the biggest of any of its stores and possibly the biggest restaurant in the whole of India. With a seating capacity of 1,000 people, you could come here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and nobody would spot you.
So, what’s on the menu?
Famously, Ikea sticks to traditional Swedish meatballs, fresh salmon, and other Nordic dishes. But on this occasion, the menu has undergone a makeover to suit the Indian palate.
Hyderabadi biriyani will be dished up in all of its fragrantly sour glory, alongside samosas, dal makhani, and chicken and vegetarian meatballs.
Ikea dessert fridge. Source: Shutterstock
“50 percent of the food will be Swedish inspired, salmon and shrimp dishes and so on. We’ll also have quite a few Indian dishes,” Ikea India deputy country manager Patrik Antoni, told AFP.
For dessert, there are warm cinnamon buns, Daim cake, apple pie and more; you can also add a coffee for the equivalent of a few cents.
Customers can also shop safe in the knowledge that Ikea is actively improving the lives of Hyderabadi residents too.
The new store is employing nearly 1,000 people from the local community and giving other big chains in the area such as Walmart and Pepperfry a run for their money.
Source: Shutterstock
One last thing. If you’re planning on going, be warned that you’ll most probably fall victim to the “Ikea syndrome.” This entails picking up things you don’t need and saying “Oh, I need one of these.”
Ikea Hyderabad is located at HITEC City on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The store is open from 10am to 11pm.
The post World’s first samosa-selling Ikea opens in Hyderabad, India appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com