Shlomi Gabai, who has been IKEA Israel's CEO over the past 10 years, has announced his intention to retire at his term's end in 2014, following his opening IKEA Israel's third store, to be located in Kiryat Ata.
Gabai joined IKEA in January of 2000 and was part of the original team that founded the first IKEA store in Netanya, where he was responsible for furniture sales. Two weeks following the store's opening, upon the recommendation of the franchise heads in Sweden, he was appointed General Manager, and has since been responsible for choosing the products that best meet the Israeli consumer's demands.
"After 10 years, I want to explore new challenges," the outgoing CEO commented.