New Southampton Ikea manager is the youngest in the UK

Jessica Collins, 28, moved to the Southampton store, which has the youngest co-worker demographic across the UK’s 22 stores, in July.

She first joined the company as a sales assistant at the Warrington branch in 2013.

Prior to her move to Southampton, she worked as a deputy market manager in Birmingham.

Jessica told the Echo: “Next month I’ll celebrate my 10-year anniversary working for the company and to be the youngest Ikea market manager in the country is something I’m really proud of.

“We have 379 members of staff here – many of which are students – and to know that’s where I was when I was studying dance at university as a teenager, to now be in this position is really special.

“I feel like I can relate to the staff and lend advice should they want it.

“It’s a great group of people who really come together to provide the best customer experience and I couldn’t be happier.”

Jessica’s appointment comes at a busy time for the store as it starts to build up towards Christmas.

"We had two million visitors through our doors last year," Jessica said.

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“There were 826,000 transactions through the tills, and we sold over four and a half million Swedish meatballs!

“We have a lot of people come off the cruise ships opposite us in the docks and they head straight for our restaurant before they head home.

“This week is particularly busy as it’s fresher’s week and students end up shopping for different essentials that they’ll use in their accommodation.

“I’ve already heard a few conversations between parents and children – making sure they know how to use certain kitchen appliances.”

With customers feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis this year, Ikea’s new manager is keen to ensure that items in the store will remain as reasonably priced as possible.

Jessica added: “We have a really strong low-price offer, but I suppose we’ve just gone back to making sure products are visible on the shop floor.

“People are spending their money where they need to and are choosing to shop with us rather than other retailers.

“We find most returning customers come back to us two or three times a year and it’s amazing that they keep coming back.”