Ikea opens first of three new small-format stores
Ikea has opened the first of three new smaller format stores in Harlow, Essex, with two more set to open in Norwich and Chester later this year.
The new retail park locations look to offer a simpler and quicker shopping experience for customers, as part of Ikea’s strategy to be closer to where people live, work, and shop.
In the smaller format stores, customers can explore roomsets and browse from a range of furnishings and small furniture. The stores feature a curated showroom, seasonal collections, and access to Ikea’s 12,000-strong product range, which can be delivered directly to customers’ homes or collected from the store.
Along with the option to buy pre-used items for store credit, planning services are available for kitchens and bedroom storage, with a team of staff on hand to assist customers. A selection of Swedish food is also on offer, 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.”
The opening of IKEA Harlow forms part of a landmark year for Ikea’s UK expansion. In 2025, the retailer 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 store in Brighton, having already opened a Plan and Order Point in Hull and a city centre store on London’s iconic Oxford Street so far.