IKEA veteran Martin Lindstrom will step down from his role as CEO of Ikea’s franchise business under DFI Retail Group at the end of May, bringing to a close a 36-year career with the brand.
Lindstrom has spent his entire professional journey within the Ikea system, starting in 1993 as an operations manager in Poland before moving across key international markets including Hong Kong and Taiwan. Over the years, he played a central role in expanding Ikea’s footprint in Asia, particularly through franchise development, supporting market entries across the region.
He was appointed CEO of Ikea under DFI Retail Group in 2013, where he oversaw franchised operations spanning Taiwan, Hong Kong and Indonesia, markets that have been critical to Ikea’s growth in Asia.
Confirming his departure, Lindstrom said the timing felt right to step aside after decades with the business. “It is a good time to step forward and make space for what comes next,” he noted, reflecting on a career shaped by Ikea’s founding vision of creating “a better everyday life for many people.”
His exit marks the end of a long-serving leadership chapter within Ikea’s franchise ecosystem in Asia, where DFI Retail Group operates the brand under licence. The move comes as Ikea continues to scale its presence across global markets, with Asia remaining a key growth engine for the company.
