They are co-workers - and everyone has a part to play.

The media got a sneak preview yesterday of what the first Ikea store in Ireland will offer when it opens its doors at Holywood Exchange, outside Belfast.

The retailer's much-hyped outlet is, well, gargantuan.

Deputy store manager Stephen Gibson, who worked for B&Q and M&S before joining Ikea, delivers the mantra: "We want to create a better everyday life for people."

He's quick to dismiss the notion that it's just a furniture store. "It's much more than that," he Donaghadee man enthuses as he points out that the store has every home product you'll need.

In fact there are 9,500 product lines in the 29,000 sq m building, which has the largest sales area of any Ikea store in the UK.

It boasts the largest restaurant in Ireland, which offers spectacular views across Belfast Lough. It seats 570 people.

"We want to change people's lives," Mr Gibson said.

He is confident "the piece of Sweden in Ireland" will be a roaring success as it offers something to suit everyone's budget.

Apart from a huge showroom which shows off all its products, there's a mini Swedish forest where the kids can play.

The Holywood Exchange outlet, with its 2,500 car parking spaces, is the retailer's 16th in the UK, and number 17 will open this weekend in Coventry.

The Belfast store has 486 co-workers and around 100 support staff, including cleaners and home delivery/assembly teams.

Mr Gibson pointed out the company sees its co-workers as its most important asset.

Each one receives a Christmas gift and its Belfast team members have already enjoyed a grand night out at the King's Hall.

Belfast woman Mandy McIlveen, who worked for Easons for 10 years before becoming a textiles supervisor, said Ikea is "a great company to work for".

"We work as a team and everybody helps everybody out. We are a big family, and everyone is treated the same. You are given responsibility and you receive encouragement, " she explained.

But, come on, isn't it really just a furniture store?

"Well, it's a furniture store that I have never seen before. It's a different world," she insisted.