IKEA’s new small-format stores are part of a wider plan to bring the brand closer to communities, offering same-day products, expert planning services, and sustainable shopping options in a compact format.
IKEA has opened the first of three new format small stores in Harlow, Essex, with two more planned to open in Norwich and Chester this year. These form part of the retailer’s strategy to be closer to where people live, work and shop.
Customers can explore roomsets and take home a wide range of furnishings and small furniture the same day. The stores feature a curated showroom, seasonal collections, and access to Ikea’s 12,000-strong product range, which can be delivered to their home or collected from the store with free next-day collection.
Along with the option to buy pre-loved items for store credit, planning services for kitchens and bedroom storage are also available, with a team on hand to assist customers in planning their dream spaces. Visitors can also enjoy a selection of Swedish food to eat in or take away.
Peter Jelkeby, CEO and CSO, IKEA UK & Ireland, said, “The opening of IKEA Harlow marks an exciting milestone as we explore new ways to bring IKEA closer to our customers. We are opening our doors just over 100 days after acquiring the lease to the site, having made use of the existing structure to get our store ready at pace.”
“By continuously reviewing and adapting our store formats, we aim to offer a more personalised and accessible retail experience. These new small-format stores fit seamlessly into our wider omnichannel strategy, ensuring our physical and digital channels work together to meet the diverse needs of our customers.”
“We’re thrilled that customers in the Harlow area can now conveniently drop into our retail park store – whether they’re looking for home furnishing inspiration, expert planning services, or our iconic meatballs – and we look forward to bringing this new offering to Norwich and Chester very soon.”
IKEA is set to open a further two Plan and Order Points in Dundee and York, small stores in Norwich and Chester, and a new city location in Brighton, having already opened Plan and Order Point Hull and a city centre store on London’s Oxford Street in 2025.
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