The Big IKEA Secret

by erica ~ June 27, 2008

With the successful launch of the IKEA store in Red Hook last week, it makes me wonder why such a super power retailer may have something to hide. What caught my attention the other day while I was on the way to work was an article I read in the New York Post about the number of Red Hook residents who work at the neighborhood’s new store.

CEO Anders Dahlvig refused to disclose this information due to a company policy of not revealing demographic data on employees. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez, who are also excluded from such data, express mixed feelings about this situation. While they don’t know the exact number of staffers at this location, they are pleased to see that the neighborhood’s unemployment rate is decreasing. Red Hook Rise, a community group who was involved in recruiting workers for the store, estimated that at least 300 of the 560 jobs were filled locally.

Joseph Roth, an IKEA spokesman, said “Red Hook residents had a three-week head start in the job-application process, adding that the firm invested $500,000 in a local job-training program.”

While writing this, I’m sitting here scratching my head wondering why such data would not be disclosed. I think that if IKEA played a significant role in the neighborhood’s unemployment rate then this is something that should be acknowledged and celebrated. I’ve actually dedicated some time in school to do a research project about IKEA and I don’t recall coming across this company policy - maybe I overlooked it? I think it’s an interesting policy and I look forward to reading about the development of this issue and how it may affect the neighborhood or store.

Erica Berkovich is an Associate Account Executive at Mediashop PR.  She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Corporate Communications at Baruch.