Ikea owner Ingka to cut 800 roles as CEO says it has “grown too complex”

The restructuring will primarily impact Group Functions and is designed to streamline decision-making, reduce costs and support the retailer’s long-term ambition to lower prices for customers.

The move comes as Ingka accelerates its strategy to become more affordable, accessible and sustainable, while placing physical stores at the centre of its omnichannel model.

Juvencio Maeztu, CEO of Ingka Group, said the business had “grown too complex” in a retail environment that demands greater speed and agility.

“Simplicity is one of our core values, and with this step, we are putting it at the centre of how we organise, work and lead the company,” he said.

“This change is driven by our purpose – not by maximising profit. It is about bringing our focus and decisions closer to our customers and the co-workers who serve them every day.”

Ingka said it will support affected employees through the transition and invest in reskilling and upskilling to ensure it has the capabilities required for future growth.

The restructuring sits alongside significant ongoing investment across the business. In recent years, Ingka has invested more than €2.1bn to lower prices, as it looks to maintain Ikea’s affordability positioning amid ongoing economic pressure on consumers.

The group is also continuing to expand its physical footprint, growing from around 375 stores in 2020 to more than 640 customer meeting points across 32 markets today. In the last financial year alone, it opened 54 new locations, including city centre formats designed to align with evolving urban shopping behaviours.

Looking ahead, Ingka is piloting new, more cost-efficient store formats targeting smaller cities and suburban locations in North America and Europe. Up to 20 new stores are expected to open by September, creating around 500 roles.

Alongside store expansion, the retailer is investing in digital and operational capabilities to enhance the customer experience. In 2025, its investment arm acquired logistics technology company Locus, as part of efforts to deliver more flexible and reliable fulfilment.

Sustainability also remains central to Ingka’s long-term strategy. The group has invested or committed around €4.2bn in renewable energy and related technologies to date, with plans to increase this to €7.5bn by 2030.

Ingka Group operates in 32 markets and accounts for around 87 per cent of global Ikea retail sales.