29 March 2024, 13:53
By Furniture News May 21, 2018

Ikea appoints new country retail manager

Ikea has appointed Javier Quiñones as country retail manager to run its UK and Ireland business.

Previously deputy retail manager, UK and Ireland, for three years, Javier will take over the role on 1st June from Gillian Drakeford, who is joining worldwide franchiser Inter Ikea Systems to lead the development of the retail system.

After joining Ikea Badalona in Barcelona as a part-time co-worker in the self-serve department in 1997, Javier progressed within Ikea Spain, in roles such as sales manager and store manager, before joining Ikea UK and Ireland in 2014. In his current position, Javier has played an important role in driving the success of the UK and Ireland business, with responsibility for sales, property, marketing, expansion, logistics, interior design and a number of stores.

Javier says: "Having already spent 20 fantastic years at Ikea, I’m excited to take my next step as country retail manager for Ikea UK and Ireland. I’m passionate about understanding how our customers live and want to use my role to improve life at home for people across the UK and Ireland. There’s a huge amount of innovation and transformation in the retail industry, from experimenting with in-store experience to merging digital and physical retail. I’m looking forward to ensuring Ikea leads the way, and continuing the journey we’ve been on to date, building on Gillian’s legacy.”

Ikea UK and Ireland achieved its sixth consecutive year of growth last year, and opened new stores in Reading and Sheffield, plus its latest store, which opened in Exeter this month.

“People are at the heart of our business," says javier, "and I’m looking forward to spending my first couple of months meeting and learning from our co-workers across the UK and Ireland.”

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