Hej!
I am Sven

I help retailers transform their spaces into effective, customer-friendly environments.
With 20+ years of hands-on experience, I deliver end-to-end services: developing concepts and solutions, building ready-to-implement packages, and personally overseeing on-site builds.
My strength lies in combining commercial strategy with practical execution, planning every detail with cost and technical realities in mind to ensure efficient and successful implementations.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sven Vanthillo
Louis Bertrandlaan 102/D9
1030 Schaarbeek
sven@shoplifter.be
+32(0)498 79 93 77
VAT/BTW BE0731900632

Establishment specialist - Planning project management - Retail Area New Business & Expansion - Ingka - Malmö 2023-present

During the last three years, I was as a strategic speaking partner to different country project teams in India, France, Sweden, Italy, China, South Korea, New Zealand, US, Switzerland, Poland, UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Romania, Finland and Norway. These 70 projects included Standard IKEA stores, store remodelings, space optimization projects, Small stores and Compact stores.

I worked on defining timelines, led the alignment of fit-out and build-up scopes and supported the project teams in estimating investment costs and run the tendering plan for external service providers.

To secure a successful implementation, I managed phasing and resource planning and supported the project execution from retail fit-out to final build-up.

After implementation, I conducted follow-ups to capture learnings in order to identify opportunities to increase quality and efficiency and to reduce costs for future projects. This feedback was then shared to relevant stakeholders in CPHub and the Establishment team in Retail Area New Business Expansion.

I acted as single point of contact within CPHub for centralized knowledge on low-cost expansion focused build-up and contributed to continuously lower overall planning- and build-up costs in CPHub projects.

To reduce cost in store establishment while improving quality, I helped standardize carpentry packages, streamlined and shortened the tendering process. This helped accelerate the delivery of small IKEA stores across multiple markets.

Shop design specialist - IKEA Belgium - Wilrijk - 2022

First I was asked to conduct the rough commercial planning for the remodeling of the Bedroom, Office, and Children’s departments. Later, I developed detailed design solutions for the entire Bedroom department, which included a newly conceived mattress solution.

Bedroom department

Implementation leader - IKEA SEE - 2020-2021

As an Interior Design Coordinator on the build-up team for the Ljubljana store and the subsequent Plan and Order Point in Split, I was responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing work executed by both external service providers and the internal IKEA team.

Shop design and interior design specialist - Retail Area New Business & Expansion - CPHub - Ingka - Malmö - 2020-2022

During the pandemic, I successfully adapted to remote work to design staff areas and the customer restaurant for the new Ljubljana store. For this project, I delivered four kitchen room settings that were subsequently replicated in the Szczecin store in Poland. Additionally, I contributed to the 2020 launch of the 'Store of Tomorrow' Malmö project by developing a new concept for a kitchen and bathroom planning and knowledge center, leveraging expertise gained from my previous role within the Belgian organization.

Swedish restaurant
Showroom kitchens
Conference rooms

Expansion interior design leader - IKEA Belgium - Service Office - 2012-2019

In collaboration with my Expansion team, I continuously optimized our workflows and processes. During multiple remodeling projects, I developed and implemented new range presentations designed to inspire customers, enhance the store experience, and increase local market relevance. I also led diverse teams of local interior designers and international freelancers.

Expansion store planning specialist - IKEA Belgium - Service Office - 2009-2012

From the earliest stages of store establishment, I developed comprehensive floor plans for the entire layout. I then oversaw the planning and implementation of key components, ranging from parking facilities and sales support areas to core commercial zones.

Interior design manager - IKEA Belgium - Anderlecht store - 2004-2009

While managing a junior interior design team at the new Brussels store, I discovered a passion for coaching and fostering professional growth. This experience led to an opportunity to serve as a trainer at the Concept Centre in Delft.

REVIT, AutoCAD, SketchUP, Adobe CC, Microsoft Office

Fluent in Dutch, French, English and German

Optimizing the use of store layout and store media

Developing and implementing range presentation solutions

Reflecting Brand identity

Planning and implementing new stores and rebuilds

Project management, cost follow-up and staff planning

Training and coaching

Master degree in Interior Architecture - Hogeschool voor Wetenschap en Kunst, Brussels, 2003

Bachelor degree in Architecture - Hogeschool voor Wetenschap en Kunst, Brussels, 1997