184 Visits
On 3 June 2004 IKEA arrived in Naples for the first time with its offer of products with Scandinavian names and furnishing solutions accessible to all, soon becoming a point of reference for those who want to furnish their home, inspiring choices and meeting needs of people at different stages of life.
Since then, in these twenty years the IKEA store in Afragola has welcomed over 60 million visitors, served 4 million coffees and 1.5 million meatballs and sold 200 thousand BILLY bookcases. The Allen keys or the blue FRAKTA carry-everything bags are just some of the small, new habits that have integrated into the daily life of Neapolitans, accompanying the story of a move, of the first time away from home, of the new bedroom, and of how many in these For years they have felt the need to make their home more functional and welcoming.
To celebrate this special anniversary together with its community, IKEA Afragola will give life to a program of initiatives, meetings, moments of conviviality, special offers and activities for adults and children that will liven up the store from tomorrow to Friday 7 June.
“Twenty years of activity represents a truly important milestone, which testifies to the affection that the people of Campania place in us every day. A result that we want to celebrate with those who allowed us to achieve it: our co-workers, customers, suppliers and all those who trusted us and chose us to furnish the most important place in the world, their home” declares Emilia Carolla, Market Manager IKEA Naples. “Since our arrival in the city, we have felt welcomed and part of this community. For this reason, day after day, we work with commitment and dedication to promote an open and welcoming idea of home and, more generally, of society, paying attention to the needs of people and the environment, faithful to our vision of creating a better life for the majority of people.”
In line with IKEA’s commitment to becoming a company with a positive impact on the climate by 2030, there are various initiatives implemented by the Neapolitan store regarding sustainability. Naples is among the Italian cities that has seen IKEA equip itself with a fleet of 11 electric vehicles, with the aim of covering all deliveries to customers in zero emissions mode. Inside the store, an energy redevelopment is underway which involves the installation of new multipurpose heat pumps powered by green energy for space heating, and the complete replacement of low environmental impact refrigeration systems in the food areas. Furthermore, the design of photovoltaic shelters in the car park is planned, and by the summer a further expansion of the latest generation electric charging stations is planned, to reach 10, guaranteeing an even more effective service to customers, co-workers and suppliers.
IKEA’s bond with Naples which, over the years, has also translated into the support and development of over 50 social projects activated in the area together with institutions, local associations and entities committed to helping the most vulnerable, with the aim to restore a sense of home to those who have lost it, offering not only their own products, but also the expertise and care of the many co-workers involved. Among the numerous initiatives promoted and supported in these 20 years of activity: the furnishing of La Casa dei Cristallini, a multifunctional educational center for scholastic and training support, and of La casa della Musica, a structure that offers free music courses to children of Forcella, in addition to the commitment alongside the Santobono Pausilipon Foundation, with the donation of the entire furnishings for an apartment intended to accommodate the families of long-term care children.
The IKEA store in Naples represents added value for the entire territory also in terms of economic and employment impact: in fact, there are over 400 co-workers who work inside the store, with a female presence of 55.4%, while 40% of managerial positions are held by women.
© Copyright editorial staff, all rights reserved. Written for: TerranostraNews
