Ikea Group, the world’s biggest furniture retailer, said yesterday its annual profits grew as it expanded into China, increased sales from existing stores and saw strong online growth.

Ikea has grown into a global brand by tapping into customers’ fondness for DIY and, as its founder Ingvar Kamprad quits the board, the flatpack giant is looking to carve out an even bigger slice of the market, writes Kyran FitzGerald