IKEA’s first store launch in India brings Hyderabad to a halt

Swedish home furnishings major IKEA on Thursday opened its first store in India, kicking off its retail journey five years after it received approval to invest in the country's single-brand retail sector.

As the retail giant finally opened its doors for Indian customers, thousands of enthusiastic customers thronged the 4,00,000 sq feet store, easily the largest single brand outlet in the country.

On Thursday, all roads in Hyderabad led to the new IKEA store at the Hi-Tec City which led to a major traffic snarl bringing the tech city to a grinding halt.

The impact of the store launch was evident all over social media as various platforms were abuzz with pictures and videos of surging crowds trying to get in the store and creating stampede like scenario in the area.

The city police had to issue a traffic advisory for those headed towards the IKEA store to control the traffic situation as the rush got out of control in the evening time as people thronged the new place in thousands.