After a successful establishment and launch of IKEA in Japan, Mr. Tommy Kullberg has decided to resign as President & CEO of IKEA Japan KK.

IKEA Japan KK was established in 2002 and opened the first store on April 24 this year in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, and opens the second store this week on September 15 in Kohoku, located in Shin-Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.

The Funabashi store has exceeded 2.6 million visitors since the opening and sales is far above expectations.

“We have indeed got at fantastic start of our operation in Japan and IKEA has been very well received by the Japanese consumers. I believe the good design in combination with breathtaking prices are the main success criteria”, says Tommy Kullberg.

IKEA is expanding rapidly in Japan and has now more than 1300 co-workers representing 11 nationalities.

“With the basic foundations in place I find the timing right to step down”, says Tommy Kullberg.

Mr. Lars Petersson will replace Mr. Tommy Kullberg. Lars Petersson started his career in the IKEA Group in 1983 at the Malmö store in Sweden. After being in different marketing and sales management positions such as Retail Manager in IKEA Italy S.A., Marketing Manager of IKEA Group, Lars Petersson has been responsible as Retail and Marketing Manager in IKEA Japan K.K. since September 2005.

“I look forward to take IKEA Japan into the next phase of development possibly comprising some 10-12 stores by 2011”, says Lars Petersson.

Tommy Kullberg will continue to provide support for IKEA in an advisory capacity.