A five-story Ikea mall opens in Kunming

The new mall has been integrated into a single space with the retailer’s existing store.

Sweden’s Ingka Centres is expanding its presence in the Chinese market by opening the new Livat mall in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. 

For Ingka, which is actively developing retail spaces in the “meeting place” concept in the Middle Kingdom, this is its seventh opening after the Livat Nanning, Changsha, and Fuzhou projects were launched.

The new five-story mall has been integrated into a single space with an existing Ikea store. Livat Kunming has a net leasable area of 46,500 square meters and a total number of more than 70 stores. 

“The new center is an exciting combination of dining, digital services, and family entertainment, providing not only a place to shop but a pleasant place for employees, residents, and visitors to the surrounding area,” commented Ingka Centres.

Livat Kunming is becoming home to global brands such as Tesla, MLB, and Huawei. At the same time, more than 40 percent of the complex’s space is occupied by catering businesses, meeting existing demand. Livat Kunming also offers a seamless omnichannel experience for customers and brands, giving them the ability to communicate through the “WeChat mini” program. The new center in Kunming will create about 3,000 new jobs. 

“This new mall is an inspiring blend of local and global brands, with a focus on creating an exceptional dining experience that reflects the needs and expectations of residents,” commented Cindy Andersen, managing director of Ingka Centres.

China remains a key market for the company, she said. Throughout 2022 and beyond, the company will continue developing the “meeting place” concept in the Middle Kingdom and other global markets.