Sweden-based Ikea Group Co Ltd, one of the world's largest home furniture retailers, opened its seventh store in China last month.

The 47,000-square-meter store is located in the city center of Dalian, which is the second largest city in Liaoning Province.

The home furniture retailer plans to change the shopping center model in China and to open new stores in second- and third-tier cities with populations between 6 million and 10 million.

The company will accelerate its expansion plans in China amid the financial crisis. Gillian Drakeford, vice president for Ikea China, said the company plans to have ten outlets in China by 2010.