Interesting topic this, whether the IKEA concept fits into Latin American culture. But I'm sure IKEA realizes this, and uses this first Latin American store as a test. Maybe they will provide an assembly service themselves, like they already offer a delivery option?
I really don't think this is about the availability of trained technicians; assembling something from IKEA is hardly DIY. It is constructed so that everyone, without technical skills or specialised equipment can put something together. IKEA clients are not necessarily the same as those using Home Depot.
In the DR, how people will use IKEA will not depend on whether people have technical skills, but on whether they are willing to put a table together; lower themselves to the level of a handyman, to put it crudely. In Europe (and I suppose North America) assembling your IKEA stuff youself fits in with at least an appreciation of egalitarianism. Surely IKEA knows it does not work like that everywhere, and they might use the DR to test the waters in parts of the world where a good section of their clients are used to having domestic help and handymen. And maybe adapt their concept somewhat.
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