Money

IKEA to expand nationwide in U.S. with 17 new stores

Published

8 months ago

April 21, 2023

ticker NEWS

The strategy is to win over cash-strapped U.S. consumers – still struggling with inflationary prices – as they seek more affordable products.

Swedish furniture giant IKEA will spend $2.2 billion to expand nationwide – marking its biggest investment ever in a single country.

Parent company Ingka Group said it will open 17 new stores in the U.S. over the next three years and upgrade existing locations.

The strategy is to win over cash-strapped U.S. consumers – still struggling with inflationary prices – as they seek more affordable products.

And in the process – steal market share from big box rivals and online retailers amid a slowing U.S. economy.

As consumers spend less, Walmart and online furniture retailer Wayfair are cutting jobs and shutting stores, creating an opportunity for IKEA to pick up cheaper store and warehouse space.

The retailer – which opened its first U.S. store in 1985, near Philadelphia – said specific locations had not yet been decided, but that it sees untapped opportunities in the South.

The company had previously announced new store openings in San Francisco and Arlington, Virginia.

The U.S. is IKEA’s second-biggest market by sales after Germany, the company said, adding that its U.S. expansion will create 2,000 jobs.

Leaders

Diversifying and enhancing payment methods

Published

12 hours ago

December 8, 2023

ticker NEWS

American Express reveals Australian homeowner bill payment insights

In response to the growing trend of card and tap-and-go payments, organisations are adapting their systems to accommodate diverse payment options.

American Express recently conducted research shedding light on homeowner sentiments towards local councils, with a focus on Australian attitudes and behaviours related to bill payments.

Vice President and General Manager of Global merchant services at American Express, Robert Tedesco, provides his insights.

Leaders

Explosive growth and dominance of the audio industry

Published

17 hours ago

December 8, 2023

ticker NEWS

Global radio market hits staggering $143 billion valuation, cementing audio industry’s dominance

The audio industry continues to assert itself as a formidable force, with the 2023 global radio market reaching a substantial value of $143 billion.

The podcast market has surged to an impressive worth of $18.52 billion, showcasing a compound annual growth rate of 27.6%.

Tony Simmons, CEO and founder of Sonnant, discusses how the audio industry can be made even better.

Presented by VentureCrowd – To find out more about Conscious Investing, head to www.venturecrowd.com.au

Money

Nick Kyrgios shocks fans with surprise OnlyFans announcement

Published

19 hours ago

December 8, 2023

ticker NEWS

Tennis sensation Nick Kyrgios sent shockwaves through the sports and entertainment world today as he revealed a surprising career move.

The Australian athlete, known for his fiery on-court antics and charismatic personality, has announced his entry into the world of OnlyFans, a platform typically associated with adult content creators.

In an unexpected turn of events, Kyrgios took to social media to share the news with his followers. He stated, “I’ve always enjoyed pushing boundaries and breaking the mold. I’m excited to announce that I’ll be joining OnlyFans to share exclusive content and connect with my fans in a new way.”

The announcement has left fans and pundits alike wondering what kind of content Kyrgios will be sharing on the platform.

The decision has sparked a debate about the intersection of sports and social media, as well as the evolving landscape of content creation.

Some fans are eagerly anticipating behind-the-scenes glimpses of Kyrgios’s life, while others are questioning the potential impact on his professional tennis career.