Free ice cream for children at Ikea from today

Having completed its first year of operation in Qatar, Al-Futtaim Group’s home furnishing retail brand Ikea has announced five days of celebrations at its store in Doha Festival City from today.James McGowan, regional brand communication manager, Ikea Qatar, UAE, Egypt and Oman said:  “It has been a great year for us at Ikea. Over the last 12 months we have received a very warm welcome and an overwhelming response from the people in Qatar. Within the very first three months here, we welcomed over 500,000 visitors to the store and over 280,000 visitors to our website.”IKEA had opened its doors to shoppers in Qatar on March 11, 2013 in the presence of Omar al-Futtaim, vice chairman, Al Futtaim Group, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, chairman, Qatar Chamber,  Max Bjuhr, the Swedish ambassador to the UAE, Qatar & Bahrain, and a delegation of Al-Futtaim group executives, and guests.“While we are very excited about our performance so far, our first anniversary is an occasion to renew our promise to keep offering well designed, functional and affordable furniture and accessories to the many in Qatar. We want to use this opportunity to give back to the people in Qatar who have welcomed their Swedish neighbour into this country so warmly. Keeping this in mind we are offering five days of festivities to all visitors and their families within our store until Tuesday. I would like to invite all our customers to come celebrate with us,” added James.Until Tuesday, there is free ice cream for kids, free kids dish with the purchase of a main dish at the Ikea Restaurant, and special activities at SMÅLAND kids area.The programme today is:  12-2pm - Come visit Barney, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse;  2-7pm: Face painting; and 4-7pm: Come visit Barney, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse.   On Tuesday, the last day of the activities the programme will be:  Spend QR1,000 and receive a free dish voucher redeemable at the Ikea Restaurant; 11am-2pm: Come visit Barney, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse;  2-7pm: Face painting; and 4-8pm: Come visit Barney, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse.