Ikea mid-Europe manager Peter Hogsted has said the retailer faces less red tape in markets such as China and Russia than in the UK.
Speaking at the Retail Week Conference, Hogsted renewed his attacks on the UK’s planning regime, which has hindered Ikea’s opening programme and forced it to modify its format. He also criticised Sunday trading rules, which restrict stores’ opening hours.
Hogsted said he was disappointed that Ikea is not “more recognised for our contribution to British homes” and hoped for changes to the planning regime. “We need more open-minded regulation. One size fits all can’t be right,” he said.
He believes Sunday trading restrictions were outmoded and said: “You can sit in a pub for 12 hours on a Sunday, you can shop online for 24 hours, but it’s too dangerous to go to Ikea for more than six hours.”
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