THE global ranks of billionaires grew by 199 people in the past year, but none came close to unseating Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man, who added $20.5 billion (€14.83bn) to his coffers, according to Forbes magazine’s annual tally.

ONE of the world’s great commercial secrets – furniture group IKEA’s profits and turnover – have been revealed for the first time.

NEVER mind the recession, shoppers flocking to IKEA’s new Dublin store next year will still get more for their money because Ingvar Kamprad, the stingy founder of the Swedish furniture giant, always made sure he got more for his.

MEXICAN telecom tycoon Carlos Slim Helú has overtaken Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the world’s richest person, Mexican financial website Sentido Comun has reported.

IRELAND has three billionaires worth a total of $5.8 billion (€4.9bn), according to the Forbes list of the world’s richest men and women.

Swedish retailer Ikea racked up record sales of more than €1bn over the past year as customers snapped up its flat-pack furniture, it emerged today.

Actor Ewan McGregor, supermodel Helena Christensen and Formula One legend Stirling Moss have turned their hands to product design – with surprising results.

The founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, which operates 11 stores in the UK and delivers to Northern Ireland, said today that he was worried the company is expanding too fast.