IKEA Philippines Celebrates Historic Store of the Year Win with Hall of Fame Tribute

     Among hundreds of IKEA stores around the world, IKEA Pasay City was named IKEA Store of the Year 2025, a recognition only a few IKEA stores globally ever get to receive. And honestly, it felt like such a proud moment not just for the brand, but for Filipinos too.

     To celebrate the milestone, IKEA Pasay rolled out its own version of the blue carpet and transformed the Swedish Restaurant into a Hall of Fame-inspired space that honored the people behind the achievement, the co-workers who helped make the store experience feel genuinely warm, thoughtful, and very in tune with how Filipinos live at home.

IKEA Philippines Celebrates Historic Store of the Year Win with Hall of Fame Tribute
Building IKEA’s symbolic stone wall during IKEA Pasay’s Store of the Year celebration, symbolizing that anything can be made with something small. (L-R) Audrey Ella Habac, Senior Food Assistant; Chollin Vargas, Plan and Order Point Associate; Her Excellence Anna Ferry, Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines; Daniel Rivero, IKEA Philippines Store Manager; Ricardo Pinheiro, IKEA Philippine Country Retail Manager; Pasay City Mayor Imelda Gallardo Calixto-Rubiano; Heraclio Cruz, Interior Designer; Maria Patricia Lee, Sales Associate.

     What made the recognition even more meaningful was how it reflected IKEA Pasay’s deep understanding of the Filipino lifestyle. Beyond the beautifully designed spaces, it’s really the experience that resonates from everyday home solutions to creating spaces people can actually imagine themselves living in.

IKEA Philippines Celebrates Historic Store of the Year Win with Hall of Fame Tribute
Daniel Rivero, IKEA Pasay Store Manager

When we won Store of the Year, we were speechless in the best possible way,” shared Daniel Rivero, IKEA Pasay Store Manager. “This is an incredible achievement for the team in the Philippines. Their passion, commitment, and togetherness truly shine through. The recognition is both affirming and emotionally rewarding for us all.”

     The celebration also featured the Champion’s Walk runway lined with a Hall of Fame gallery showcasing notable Filipinos, making the entire event feel even more special and proudly local. Distinguished guests including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, and chef Josh Boutwood were also present to celebrate the milestone. A global recognition rooted in Filipino excellence and honestly, so well deserved.

IKEA Philippines Celebrates Historic Store of the Year Win with Hall of Fame Tribute
World-class Filipinos Michelin-starred chef Josh Boutwood, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, and Olympic gold medalist lifter Hidilyn Diaz shared their winning moments during IKEA’s Store of the Year celebration.

     IKEA Pasay City has now earned a permanent place in the Store of the Year Hall of Fame. IKEA Philippines will send 12 co-workers on a learning journey to IKEA Headquarters in Älmhult to deepen their connection to the brand’s culture and values.

The IKEA Philippines Mindset

     For Ricardo Pinheiro, IKEA Philippines Country Retail Manager, IKEA Pasay City’s retail success told only part of the story. “I am happy to congratulate IKEA Pasay City for standing out a little extra by showing what it means to combine performance with heart,” he said. “What impresses me most isn’t just the results— it’s the mindset. A commitment to people, values, and everyday retail excellence.”

     IKEA Pasay City understands both the Swedish brand and Filipino culture deeply. It recognizes how Filipinos really live and designs an experience for them to want to spend time at its store. It pays close attention to how people actually shop, and by showing up for its co-workers when it matters most, the store turns consistency into distinction. It also made food a core part of the IKEA experience, anchored in taste, affordability, and efficiency.

     Pinheiro added, “Our team believes that retail excellence is about doing the ordinary things well, every single day. Prioritizing people, understanding how customers truly live and shop, and treating food, care, and consistency as essential parts of the experience are what we at IKEA Pasay City practice every day—and still learn from.”

     Then there are the small things the local team does exceptionally well. By sharpening their approach to add-on sales in both the showroom and Market Hall, the team increased articles sold per transaction to nearly 17 items.

IKEA Philippines Celebrates Historic Store of the Year Win with Hall of Fame Tribute
Celebrating the 12 remarkable IKEA Pasay co-workers who contributed to the Store of the Year win. They will fly to the IKEA Headquarters in Älmhult for a learning journey.

     By the end of 2025, IKEA Pasay City reached yet another incredible milestone selling more IKEA home furnishing pieces than any other IKEA store in the world. It’s the kind of achievement that sounds huge because it is, but behind it was really a combination of consistency, discipline, and understanding what customers truly need for their homes. From small everyday solutions to larger home upgrades, IKEA Pasay managed to create an experience that connected with how Filipinos actually live.

     For a store that began with the goal of making everyday life at home better for the many, the IKEA Store of the Year recognition feels genuinely well-earned. And the celebration doesn’t stop there. From May 14 to 31, 2026, IKEA Pasay is also holding a special “Winning Offer” promo where customers can enjoy discounts on select furniture and home décor pieces, a little thank-you celebration shared with everyone who has been part of the journey.