Ikea opens biggest store in the world in South Korea — in pictures

The National
  • Ikea's Gwangmyeong outlet in South Korea is its biggest in the world with an area of 131,550 square metres. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP
    Ikea's Gwangmyeong outlet in South Korea is its biggest in the world with an area of 131,550 square metres. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP
  • When Ikea unveiled the website for its Gwangmyeong store in November, the initial reaction was one of angry disappointment at a price list that seemed significantly inflated compared to Ikea stores elsewhere. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters
    When Ikea unveiled the website for its Gwangmyeong store in November, the initial reaction was one of angry disappointment at a price list that seemed significantly inflated compared to Ikea stores elsewhere. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters
  • Ikea, now present in 43 countries with 365 stores, plans to grow its South Korean outlets to five by 2020. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters
    Ikea, now present in 43 countries with 365 stores, plans to grow its South Korean outlets to five by 2020. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters
  • Ikea aims to specially attract South Korea's urban consumers. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP
    Ikea aims to specially attract South Korea's urban consumers. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP
  • Ikea's Gwangmyeong outlet in South Korea is its biggest in the world with an area of 131,550 square metres. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP
    Ikea's Gwangmyeong outlet in South Korea is its biggest in the world with an area of 131,550 square metres. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP
  • Shoppers wait in a long queue outside Ikea's in Gwangmyeong outlet in South Korea. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP
    Shoppers wait in a long queue outside Ikea's in Gwangmyeong outlet in South Korea. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP
  • When Ikea unveiled the website for its Gwangmyeong store in November, the initial reaction was one of angry disappointment at a price list that seemed significantly inflated compared to Ikea stores elsewhere. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters
    When Ikea unveiled the website for its Gwangmyeong store in November, the initial reaction was one of angry disappointment at a price list that seemed significantly inflated compared to Ikea stores elsewhere. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters
  • Ikea's design appeal to South Korea's urban crowds, and few big local rivals, leave it well placed, retail experts say. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP
    Ikea's design appeal to South Korea's urban crowds, and few big local rivals, leave it well placed, retail experts say. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP
  • Employees work on a display as visitors browse through products at the Ikea store in Gwangmyeong. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters
    Employees work on a display as visitors browse through products at the Ikea store in Gwangmyeong. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters