IKEA is going to open its first hyper store in Bulgaria by the end of 2009, according to the Greek press. Photo by wordpress.com
The Swedish furniture company IKEA will open one of its largest stores in the Bulgarian capital Sofia in the second half of 2009.
The news was reported by the Bulgarian newspaper Pari Daily, which cites the Greek publication Imersia.
The Greek company Froulis, which is IKEA's authorized licensee in the region, is planning to open three furniture stores in the Balkans in 2009, and a total of 11-12 IKEA stores by 2013, two of which will be located in Bulgaria.
In February, Froulis signed a preliminary contract for the purchase of land in Sofia for the construction of the IKEA hypermarket.
Bulgaria has been chosen for the opening of a store of the Swedish giant because of the increased demand for furniture caused by the booming construction of new apartments.