IKEA Looking for More Than 400 Who Are Seeking a Better Everyday Life; Recruitment Effort for Store Opening this Summer in Frisco, Texas Features In-Store Job Fair on May 14

Business Wire, April 18, 2005

FRISCO, Texas -- IKEA, the world's leading home furnishings retailer, today announced the recruitment program for its future Frisco store -- opening this summer -- that will include a job fair event on May 14 offering prospective coworkers the chance to seek a "Better Everyday Life." Candidates will participate in interviews on-site at the future store, amidst IKEA room settings and surrounded by all the comforts of this future retail home in Frisco.

Although the future IKEA Frisco is still progressing through construction and outfitting phases, prospective coworkers at the "Better Everyday Life" Job Fair on May 14 will have the opportunity to experience select areas of the future store, enjoy some traditional Swedish food from the IKEA Restaurant and conduct part of the application process amidst IKEA furnishings. Also, IKEA knows that it often can be difficult to find a babysitter and has arranged for the IKEA supervised play area, SMALAND, to be available for candidates' children if they would like to bring them along while participating in the interview process. (Some restrictions may apply.)

"At IKEA, we realize that enjoying daily work responsibilities while also having a good work/life balance is extremely valuable to our coworkers," said Jim Tilley, store manager, IKEA Frisco. "With a vision to create a better everyday life for the many, for customers and coworkers alike, we are thrilled to offer candidates a chance to experience our new store in a manner similar to what our customers will experience this summer."

Interested candidates will have the opportunity to speak with IKEA coworkers, learn about IKEA benefits, view videos featuring information about the IKEA concept, business model and advertisements and get a feel for the coworker culture. Many diverse coworker positions are available, including: warehousing; sales; maintenance; customer service; cashiers; and approximately 80-100 food service opportunities at the IKEA Restaurant, Swedish Foodmarket, Cafe Bistro and staff cafeteria. Interested candidates are also encouraged to apply at http://jobsat.ikea-usa.com.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to register for an interview time slot at the IKEA Frisco "Better Everyday Life" Job Fair through the IKEA web site at http://jobsat.ikea-usa.com, but walk-ins are also welcome. Following are more details about time and location:

-- Saturday, May 14, 2005
       10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
       IKEA Frisco, 7171 IKEA Drive
       (State Highway 121 and the Dallas North Tollway)
       Frisco, Texas

Named in Working Mother magazine's annual list of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" for two consecutive years and recently named to Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list, IKEA values and has great respect for coworkers' personal lives and the importance of a work/life balance. With approximately 400 jobs to be filled at the first IKEA store in the Metroplex, this recruitment will offer prospective coworkers the opportunity to apply for a job in a comfortable, relaxing and approachable setting - our new home in Frisco.

Drawing from the company's Swedish heritage, IKEA is committed to a flexible workplace environment that emphasizes a work/life balance and provides professional opportunities without any gender or life situation limitations. If an IKEA coworker needs to take time off to find a nursing home for an aging parent, be home to kiss their child before bed, or telecommute to best juggle caring for a newborn, they can do so without worrying about risking their career aspirations.

IKEA offers family-friendly initiatives and diverse workplace benefits including full medical/dental insurance to coworkers working 20 hours or more per week with eligibility for domestic partners and children. In addition, coworkers with less than 20 hours a week are offered full access to full benefits. Other benefits include: paid maternity/paternity leave and paid time off for child adoption; tuition assistance; 401(k) matching; flexible work arrangements (job share, telecommuting and condensed work weeks); extensive professional development, training and mentoring programs; lactation rooms for nursing mothers; and discounts for weight loss and smoking cessation services. The organization puts career opportunity into the hands of the individual, encouraging coworkers to consider assignments within different functions at other IKEA stores, or even in other countries.

During 2004, IKEA had a coworker growth of 23% and will continue to increase its coworker staff as part of the company's aggressive expansion plans. IKEA employs more than 8,000 coworkers in the United States and 84,000 globally and looks forward to welcoming 400 more when IKEA Frisco opens this summer.

Currently under construction at the northeast corner of State Highway 121 and the Dallas North Tollway, the 310,000 square-foot IKEA Frisco will present 50 different room settings, four model homes, a supervised children's play area, as well as a 300-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries, or salmon platters, as well as American dishes too. Other family-friendly features will include a Children's IKEA area in the showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store. Also, IKEA will generate significant sales and property tax revenue for state and local governments.