IKEA reopens for online fire sale in Russia before market exit

IKEA still operates 14 malls in the country under the MEGA brand

IKEA will open for business for a final time in Russia on Tuesday, with customers permitted to buy goods in an online-only fire sale before the Swedish furniture company winds down its operations in a market to which it hopes one day to return, Qazet.az reports.

"From July 5 for a few weeks you can buy IKEA goods only on ikea.ru," IKEA said on its Russian website. "Goods will be on sale for as long as they are in stock."

It was not possible to add items to the online basket as of 11:00 a.m. in Moscow (0830 GMT). IKEA's Russian press service had no immediate comment.

Selling surplus inventory and generating revenue in Russia may raise eyebrows, given the public and political pressure on companies not to do business there.

IKEA still operates 14 malls in the country under the MEGA brand, though it said it is exploring options for its 17 furniture stores there which remain closed.