Ikea Dublin’s new store manager, Marsha Smith, was crowned Store Manager of the Year in the 51,000 sqft-plus category at the Retail Week Rising Star Awards in September.
Up against tough competition from Tesco and Dixons Retail, Marsha was recognised for her previous role as store manager of Ikea Birmingham, in which she led a team of 400 co-workers in the Birmingham store to achieve 33% sales growth, a record profit for the store.
Commenting on the award win, Marsha says: “I am delighted to win the Store Manager of the Year award and to represent Ikea in this way. It has been a privilege to lead the Birmingham store over the past three years and to discover just how powerful teamwork can be in igniting a store to develop its full potential. I am grateful to all of the co-workers at Birmingham for their energy, passion and determination in making the store such a success.”
Ikea UK and Ireland country manager, Gillian Drakeford, adds: “Marsha epitomises the concept of leading our business through people and brings to life Ikea’s core values of togetherness, openness and responsibility. She has inspired co-workers to really care about our customers, the business results and connecting with the reason they come to work each day.”
