Oct 19, 2026 · up to 303 roles
Not linked to AIIKEA France plans to cut up to 303 positions under a job-protection plan (plan de sauvegarde de l'emploi), mainly at its head office in the Paris region and in administrative functions, while creating 100 positions; the CFDT union said the plan means 164 job cuts, about a hundred employees moved to other units and about forty changed contracts, mostly in administration, accounting and human resources, and IKEA France said talks with staff representatives run until March 2027.
The reason IKEA France gave
The plan is a transformation plan meant to adapt to "une concurrence toujours plus forte" (ever stronger competition); it cuts "potentiellement un maximum de 303 postes" (potentially a maximum of 303 positions) and creates 100 "pour renforcer les expertises essentielles au développement de l'entreprise" (to strengthen the expertise essential to the company's development).IKEA France, in its statement of 19 October 2026 (the words in quotation marks are the company's, as AFP reported them in Midi Libre)
IKEA France's statement, as AFP reported it, does not mention AI, and no report read tied the cuts to AI. The CFDT union's central delegate, Abdel Mekki, criticised management's "immobilisme" (inertia) in the face of digital tools such as AI, and Actu.fr and MCE TV reported the unions' concern about an AI agent IKEA tested at its Villiers-sur-Marne store to answer customers, with no study of its impact; none said AI was a reason roles were cut.
Source: Midi Libre (AFP): Le géant suédois Ikea réduit ses effectifs en France, 300 salariés sur le départ : voici qui est concerné. Checked Oct 31, 2026.