IKEA branch in Netanya, Israel
IKEA branch in Netanya, IsraelYossi Aloni/Flash90

Beginning on July 1, IKEA stores around Israel will close at 7:00p.m. instead of 10:00p.m., Israel Hayom reported.

The stores will also no longer be open on Saturday evenings.

According to a letter sent by IKEA Israel CEO Shuki Koblenz and the chairman of the IKEA Israel Employees Committee to IKEA Israel employees, "since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, the world has experienced an enormous economic crisis which affects the lives of each and every one of us."

"We are witness to changes in consumer behavior in Israel and around the world.

"In recent months, we have been busy trying to learn the new consumer habits and understand their impact on retail in general and on us in particular. The changes in consumer behavior and the uncertainty which accompanies this period require from us innovation and rethinking with regards to methods of work, the activities in the stores and headquarters, days and hours of opening, and more.

"In light of this, beginning on July 1, 2020, the stores will open according to the following schedule: Sunday-Wednesday 10:00a.m. - 7:00p.m., Thursday 10:00a.m. - 10:00p.m., Friday 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m., and Saturday - closed.

"The kitchen store at the port will continue to operate according to its current hours, with no changes.

"This decision has effects on the employees and managers of the company. Over the course of the past weeks, the Employees' Committee, the National Labor Federation, and the company management have been holding intensive discussions in order to provide a solution for every single one of you, with an aim to bring additional employees back to regular working. This is not a simple time in the company's life in general, and in our lives especially.".