NETHERLANDS – Ingka Group, the largest Ikea retailer worldwide, is expanding its EV charging networks, installing 1,000 new charging points in its stores in Germany by 2028 and 1,000 more in its stores in in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden by 2024.

USA – The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, is set to acquire SRS Distribution Inc., a leading provider in residential specialty trade distribution, in a deal worth approximately USD 18.25 billion.

COLOMBIA – A new store at Mallplaza in Cali, a COP 73 billion investment, represents Sodimac’s commitment to innovation and customer experience.

USA – Würth Baer Supply Company announced the acquisition of Russell Plywood, based in Reading, Pennsylvania, with an additional site in Wilmington, Delaware.

GERMANY – Koelnmesse is organizing this year’s interzum, to be held from 4 to 7 May 2021, as a purely digital event.

CHINA – On January 31^st Koelnmesse had announced it was postponing CIFM/interzum guangzhou 2020, which was originally scheduled to be held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou Complex) from March 28-31. The measure was taken then due to the on-going novel coronavirus pandemic.

COLOMBIA – Madecentro, Colombia’s leading retail chain specializing in supplies for carpentry and the wood processing industry, reaches 150 stores in the country.

U.S. – Ikea Retail U.S. will temporarily close all 50 store locations across the U.S. and the Ikea Planning Studio in Manhattan. This decision was taken by Ikea leadership as a pre-cautionary measure due to the rapidly evolving novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

ARGENTINA – Egger, manufacturer of a wide range of wood-based products for the furniture industry, interior design, construction and flooring, opened in March two new Egger Haus stores in Argentina.

CHILE – Falabella, Ripley and Paris also close.

NETHERLANDS/CHINA – On March 10 Inter IKEA Systems B.V. (owner of the IKEA concept and global franchisor), IKEA Retail China and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. launch the first virtual IKEA store during a digital signing ceremony via Taobao Live Streaming from IKEA Shanghai Baoshan and Hangzhou Ali Park.

USA – Atlantic Plywood, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parksite, is expanding their business into the Southeast and will be the exclusive Formica distributor in these markets effective April 6th.