Ikea's Gwangmyeong outlet in South Korea is its biggest in the world with an area of 131,550 square metres. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP

When Ikea unveiled the website for its Gwangmyeong store in November, the initial reaction was one of angry disappointment at a price list that seemed significantly inflated compared to Ikea stores elsewhere. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters

Ikea, now present in 43 countries with 365 stores, plans to grow its South Korean outlets to five by 2020. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters

Ikea aims to specially attract South Korea's urban consumers. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP

Ikea's Gwangmyeong outlet in South Korea is its biggest in the world with an area of 131,550 square metres. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP

Shoppers wait in a long queue outside Ikea's in Gwangmyeong outlet in South Korea. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP

When Ikea unveiled the website for its Gwangmyeong store in November, the initial reaction was one of angry disappointment at a price list that seemed significantly inflated compared to Ikea stores elsewhere. Ahn Eun-na / News1 / Reuters

Ikea's design appeal to South Korea's urban crowds, and few big local rivals, leave it well placed, retail experts say. Jung Yeon-Je / AFP