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It took some time to figure out just the right shopping complex, off just the right highway interchange and just the right distance from Seoul, that could accommodate a 624,000-square-foot store—that is to say, one more than three times the size of the average Wal-Mart Supercenter. It took more time to solve certain mysteries, like how big to make the store’s children’s section in a country where kids are often given ample space in the family living quarters. It took more time to figure out how to showcase kitchens that incorporate kimchi refrigerators, a uniquely Korean appliance—and even more time to untangle nuances of the market, like the South Korean’s preference for metal chopsticks. 要规划出一个恰到好处的购物中心，正好位于某个合适的高速公路出口旁，与首尔的车程还不远不近，面积高达62万4千英尺（比一个标准沃尔玛超市的面积大三倍多），是需要花点时间的。而要解决某些特定难题，比如，在韩国这样一个孩子在家中享有充足活动空间的国家，购物中心的儿童区该做多大才合理，需要花更多功夫。至于如何布置一个能容纳韩式泡菜冰箱这种韩国特有家电的厨房，就要花上更多时间——而要弄清这个市场的微妙之处，比如韩国人对金属筷子的偏爱，则又要搭上更多时间。 In all, it took about six years for Ikea to unveil its inaugural store in South Korea, in Gwangmyeong, starting from the first scouting trip. Ikea celebrated the opening in December with a tree planting rather than ribbon cutting. (Chalk that up to Ikea tradition rather than to South Korean custom.) | 
