IKEA Malaysia today announced the appointment of Takeshi Murai as Country Retail Director, effective 1st September 2026. He succeeds Malcolm Pruys, who has led the Malaysia business since September 2022.
Murai takes on the role at an important time for IKEA Malaysia. Following its 30th anniversary this year, the home furnishing retailer is entering its next phase of growth, with a continued focus on affordability, stronger omnichannel experiences and bringing IKEA closer to more people. One of Murai’s first major milestones will be the opening of IKEA Kuching in December 2026, IKEA Malaysia’s first store in East Malaysia and its first small-format store.
With nearly two decades of IKEA experience across Asia and Europe, Murai brings extensive retail leadership and a strong understanding of how different markets and customers live. He joined IKEA in 2008 in Osaka, Japan, before progressing through retail and market leadership roles in Japan, Sweden and Finland.
His IKEA journey later brought him to Malaysia as Store Manager of IKEA Batu Kawan in 2024, where he was responsible for the store’s overall retail operations and customer experience. He later took on responsibility for the IKEA Klang Valley stores, giving him first-hand experience of Malaysian customers, co-workers and the changing realities of life at home.
“Malaysia is a diverse and dynamic market, where the way people live, shop and experience home continues to evolve,” said Takeshi Murai, Country Retail Director of IKEA Malaysia.
“As I take on this role, I want to stay curious and open to understanding how people really live at home. This will remain fundamental to keeping IKEA relevant to the needs of Malaysians, while we look for more ways to make our products and experiences seamlessly affordable and accessible across our stores and digital channels.”
“Opening IKEA Kuching later this year is an important part of that journey. For the first time, we will bring the physical IKEA store experience to East Malaysia, closer to customers who have known and shopped with us for years. I am excited about what lies ahead and the opportunity to continue growing IKEA Malaysia together with our co-workers, customers and communities.”
As IKEA Malaysia moves into its next chapter, the business will continue to be guided by its vision to create a better everyday life for the many people.
Affordability will remain at the heart of this, guided by the idea that Staying at Home Is Affordable. At IKEA, affordability is about more than the price tag. It is about helping people make more of the homes they already have, with well-designed and functional solutions that make space work harder, everyday routines easier, and leave more room for rest, comfort and connection.
This approach is supported by Democratic Design, which brings together form, function, quality, sustainability and low price, alongside IKEA understanding of Life at Home. Together, these help IKEA respond to changing household needs, multifunctional spaces and evolving shopping behaviours, while making the IKEA experience easier to access across stores and digital channels.
Murai succeeds Malcolm Pruys, who became Country Retail Director of IKEA Malaysia in September 2022.
Under his leadership, IKEA Malaysia sharpened its focus on affordability and accessibility, lowering prices on more than 2,000 essential and best-selling articles while strengthening its omnichannel business across stores, e-commerce, collection points and delivery, including expanded access in East Malaysia.
Pruys also oversaw important milestones for IKEA Food in Malaysia. All IKEA Restaurants, Cafés and Bistros nationwide achieved JAKIM halal certification, formally recognising IKEA Malaysia’s long-standing halal practices, while the IKEA curry puff entered the Malaysia Book of Records after 8.6 million were sold in a year.
Pruys also led IKEA Malaysia as it celebrated 30 years in the country in 2026, marking three decades of growth alongside Malaysian homes and communities.
“It has been a privilege to lead IKEA Malaysia and to work alongside so many passionate co-workers over the past four years,” said Malcolm Pruys.
“What I am most proud of is how we have continued to stay close to the realities of everyday life in Malaysia and keep evolving with the needs of our customers. None of what we have achieved would have been possible without the commitment of our co-workers and the trust of the many people who continue to welcome IKEA into their homes.”
“As IKEA Malaysia moves into its next chapter, I believe the business is in a strong position to keep growing in ways that are relevant, accessible and meaningful. Takeshi knows IKEA, he knows Malaysia, and most importantly, he understands that everything we do starts with the many people and how they live at home. I am very pleased to hand over the leadership to him and confident he will continue building on the foundation we have created together.”
For Murai, the appointment marks the next step in an IKEA career spanning nearly two decades and multiple markets, as he now leads IKEA Malaysia into its next phase of growth.
