When IKEA’s management called an all-hands meeting, employees expected another routine update. Instead, they were told nearly a quarter of the workforce would be let go.
The announcement came as a shock to workers at IKEA’s Norwegian headquarters in Oslo. One employee described the feeling as "falling off the moon." The cuts affect both corporate roles and store staff across the country. IKEA Norway confirmed the layoffs but declined to specify exact numbers per department.
The decision follows a period of declining sales in the Nordic market. IKEA’s global parent company reported a 4% drop in revenue last quarter, citing weaker consumer demand. Analysts link the downturn to rising living costs and shifting shopping habits. IKEA has not ruled out further reductions if conditions worsen.
Trade unions have criticized the move as abrupt. The Norwegian Union of Commerce and Office Employees called for talks before finalizing the dismissals. Union representatives argue that better planning could have softened the impact. IKEA Norway has not yet responded to the union’s request for a meeting.
Affected workers now face an uncertain job market. Some have already started searching for new roles, while others wait for severance details. The company has offered career counseling, but many say it does little to ease the immediate burden.
Source: e24.no