SWEDEN -- Sales for the global furniture retailer IKEA Group were up 5.9% over the previous year with a strong part of that growth coming from North America as well as China, its fastest growing market. IKEA Group’s total 2014 sales were EUR 28.7 billion ($37.02 billion).

“The IKEA Group keeps growing and I am happy to see an increased growth in all our sales channels; in existing stores, in the opening of new stores and online. Our sales development shows that people all over the world appreciate our great home furnishing products at affordable prices, says President and CEO Peter Agnefjäll.

IKEA also saw growth in e-commerce with approximately 1.5 billion visits totaling a 20% increase to its web site in a year.

“We have a clear multichannel strategy. We are becoming more accessible by continuing to improve our existing stores, by opening new stores and by expanding our e-commerce service and in-store-pick and delivery service," adds Agnefjäll.

The company continues to focus on sustainability with its recent investments in Design LED Products Ltd., a Scottish company with a unique technology for LED lighting.

When the investment by IKEA's venture capital company, IKEA GreenTech -- established in 2008, was announced, Christian Ehrenborg, its Managing Director said, "This technology opens up fantastic possibilities for innovative designs using energy efficient LEDs. The partnership is a clear strategic fit for IKEA and our goal to make living sustainable affordable and attractive for millions of people."

IKEA Group has approximately 315 stores in 27 countries with 39 stores in the US alone.