Ikea is considering expanding its production capabilities across the US and the Americas in response to ongoing disruptions in shipping. Inter Ikea, responsible for supplying products globally to the retailer's franchise stores, stated to The Financial Times that it is exploring this strategy to mitigate the effects of the Red Sea conflict.
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Susanne Waidzunas, Global Supply Manager, highlighted the focus on increasing production footprint in North America, noting opportunities in South and Central America as well as the US. She emphasised that the American market relies heavily on ocean shipping, unlike Europe and China where more goods are produced locally.
Waidzunas stressed the need to strengthen supply chains further to reduce dependence on specific countries or trade routes.
Source: www.retailgazette.co.uk