Where did IKEA open its first permanent store in 1958?

IKEA opened its first permanent store in Älmhult, Sweden, in 1958.

Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA in 1943 in the Swedish province of Småland. The company initially sold a range of goods by mail order, and furniture became increasingly important during the 1950s. In 1953, Kamprad opened a furniture showroom in Älmhult so customers could inspect products before ordering them.

The first purpose-built IKEA store opened in Älmhult in 1958. It helped establish the large showroom-and-warehouse format that later became central to IKEA’s international retail model. Älmhult remains closely connected with the company and hosts IKEA-related design and corporate facilities.

IKEA’s name comes from Ingvar Kamprad, Elmtaryd, the farm where he grew up, and Agunnaryd, his parish. The first store is sometimes confused with IKEA’s later expansion outside Sweden, but Älmhult was the company’s original permanent retail base.