IKEA to Install 3 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Future Store Opening Fall 2017 in Jacksonville, FL

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced
plans to install three Blink® electric vehicle (EV) charging
stations at its future Jacksonville store opening Fall 2017. This
initiative reflects the continued partnership between IKEA and Car
Charging Group, Inc. (OTC: CCGI),
the owner of the Blink Network and Blink EV charging stations, and the
largest owner and operator of EV charging services with thousands of
public EV charging stations in 36 states and two countries. There
currently are Blink EV charging units at 30 IKEA stores in the United
States.

“Installing EV charging stations at the future IKEA Jacksonville
reinforces our commitment to sustainability,” said Leontyne Green Sykes,
store manager. “As a retailer, IKEA realizes that a focus on the
sustainable transport of people can empower customers to live
sustainably, so meeting the needs of EV drivers helps achieve both
goals.”

To charge an EV at the future IKEA Jacksonville, drivers can tap their
Blink InCard (RFID card) to the reader below the screen, initiate the
session directly from the Blink Mobile application, or use a guest code
provided via the Blink Mobile app, www.BlinkCode.com,
or Blink Customer Support (888-998-2546). Once the session is initiated,
drivers can plug the charger into the EV, and then shop and eat at their
leisure in the IKEA store while the vehicle is charging. EV drivers can
become a Blink member for free and typically receive discounted charging
fees at thousands of Blink units. More information about how to use the
Blink EV charging stations and how to become a Blink Member is available
at blinknetwork.com.

Drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, IKEA believes
it can do good business while minimizing impacts on the environment.
Globally, IKEA evaluates locations for conservation opportunities,
integrates innovative materials into product design, works to maintain
sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution.
Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material;
incorporating environmental measures into buildings with
energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction
materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water-conserving restrooms;
and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process,
and selling only LED bulbs. Consistent with its goal to be energy
independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 700,000 solar panels
on buildings worldwide and owns nearly 350 wind turbines, including 104
in the U.S.

Under construction on 25 acres along the northwestern corner of
Interstate 295 and Gate Parkway, approximately 10 miles southeast of
downtown Jacksonville, the 290,000-square-foot future IKEA Jacksonville
and its 950 parking spaces reflects the unique architectural design for
which IKEA is known worldwide, and will include one of Florida’s largest
retail solar rooftops, consistent with the solar presence at 90% of IKEA
U.S. locations. In addition to 500 jobs created by construction, 250
coworkers will join the IKEA family when the store opens. Positions
currently are posted online, with remaining opportunities available
later this summer. Until IKEA Jacksonville opens as the fifth IKEA store
in Florida, customers can shop at IKEA Orlando and IKEA Tampa or online
at IKEA-USA.com.
Two other IKEA stores are located in the South Florida cities of Sunrise
and Sweetwater.

Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of
good design and function at low prices so the majority of people can
afford them. There are currently more than 400 IKEA stores in 49
countries, including 44 in the U.S. IKEA has been ranked among “Best
Companies to Work For” and, as further investment in its coworkers, has
raised its own minimum wage twice in two years. IKEA incorporates
sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that
benefit children and the environment. For more information see IKEA-USA.com,
@IKEAUSANews,
@IKEAUSA
or IKEAUSA on Facebook,
YouTube,
Instagram
and Pinterest.

Contacts

IKEA
Joseph Roth, 610-834-0180, Ext. 6500
Expansion Public
Affairs