Ikea is set to debut a new small-format store concept across the UK, having secured several former Homebase locations for its latest retail venture. The Swedish furniture giant has acquired three sites in high-traffic retail parks, with new stores slated to open in Harlow, Chester, and Norwich.
These new locations are designed to offer the "classic Ikea experience" in a more compact format. Customers will be able to browse a curated selection of around 5,000 products, with 3,000 available for immediate purchase and the remainder available for ordering. The stores will also feature planning and design services, as well as click-and-collect options for added convenience.
In addition to the product range, each store will have a food section, offering a "compact on-the-go food menu" for customers looking to grab a quick meal.
This new store format is part of Ikea's broader strategy to adapt to changing shopping habits and increase its presence in urban areas. The announcement follows news of the upcoming opening of its highly anticipated Oxford Street store in London this spring, with another city-center location planned for Brighton later in the year.
The Oxford Street store, which has undergone extensive renovations over the past three years, will feature several upgrades aimed at improving its environmental performance while retaining the building’s historic charm.
Ikea’s UK operations continue to expand, with 21 large-format stores across the country, as well as additional locations offering order and collection services in Aberdeen, Aintree, Preston, and Stockport. The retailer’s recent recruitment efforts for the Oxford Street store were met with overwhelming interest, receiving 3,730 applications in just six days for 150 available positions.
Peter Jelkeby, IKEA's UK and Ireland Chief Executive has said “We know many people want to shop with Ikea but in some instances we are just too far away. That’s why we are strategically expanding our UK footprint, with the aim of showing up in convenient, accessible locations for our customers. Centrally located in retail parks, our three new stores mark a major step forward in our expansion plan, making it easier than ever for customers in these areas to shop with us.”
“Harlow, Chester and Norwich have long been areas of interest to us, and we’re looking forward to bringing the very best of the Ikea experience in a refreshingly compact format to these communities later this year.”
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