After two years of planning, furniture and homewares retailer believes it can match a physical store experience.

Ikea Thailand has launched an online store, with a view to matching the journey and impression customers experience at a physical Ikea shop.

“We see the potential – it is a potential in Thailand for Ikea,” said deputy retail manager for Ikea Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines, Lacia Sherlock. “We have only been accessible within Bangkok so far, and now we will be accessible for people from across the country.

“The delivery prices need to be affordable and all the services need to be accessible for consumers living outside of Bangkok, so that they are able to get the assembly or whatever they need.”

According to Sherlock, the new e-commerce platform, which is already available in Malaysia and Singapore, now covers the whole of Thailand. It took about two years to develop based on studies of market demand and building the necessary infrastructure.

“We are pleased to now be able to provide this access to Thais. We have been wanting to do this for a long time, along with providing them with a superior experience and inspiration through both of our two Bangkok stores,” said Sherlock.

Ikea is aiming to hit 17,000 online orders this year within the territory.