// Ikea is aiming to hire more than 150 data and tech roles across Europe that will help it achieve its aim of being more affordable, accessible and sustainable
// It will offer candidates 3D-printed vegan meatballs at the interview to help stimulate ideas on how tech can be used to improve homes
Ikea plans to hire more than 150 data and technology roles across Europe this year.
The furniture giant has dubbed its talent search “taste the future”, and is adopting alternative interviewing techniques such as offering 3D-printed vegan meatballs to attract a more diverse pool of talent, according to Computer Weekly.
The retailer hopes that offering candidates the 3D-printed version of its famous meatballs will stimulate ideas around how technology can be used to improve homes.
Inter Ikea Group CIO Pascal Pauwels told the publication: “Ikea is at the start of a journey to embrace data and technology to become more affordable, accessible and sustainable in an omnichannel environment.
“Naturally, people with imagination will play a big role in that quest. So, here we’re looking for people who want to create a better everyday life with us. This campaign is a great way to start the conversation.”
Ikea is on a mission to make its products and services more sustainable, accessible and affordable and believes this can be achieved by hiring talent that are not only knowledgeable about technology, data, retail and furnishings, but who are also creative.
READ MORE: In pictures: Ikea to open first small UK high street store in Hammersmith next month
Ikea claims its digital teams use technologies such as artificial intelligence , virtual reality and machine learning in “rebellious ways” to innovate the business and its products.
Digital has been a big focus for Ikea as it aims to become more accessible. It is also opening more convenient stores for shoppers and will launch its first UK high street store in Hammersmith later this month.
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