ALMHULT, SWEDEN: Ikea is seeking an agency to support its corporate PR activities in the furniture giant’s home market of Sweden.

The move marks the first time that the company’s retail arm is making an appointment of this nature. The group works with agencies across other parts of its organisation, most notably Prime Group.

It is understood that several agencies, including international players, are taking part in the pitch.

An Ikea spokesperson confirmed the pitch, but noted that the brief would only cover corporate PR support for Ikea’s retail unit in Sweden. The company is currently facing sustained scrutiny of its labour practices at its first US factory.

Ikea is the world’s largest furniture retailer, banking global revenues of 23.5m euros in 2010. The company is privately-held, and largely controlled by Dutch company INGKA Holding.