Ikea will open smaller stores in the high street – but you won’t be able to buy Swedish meatballs
The company's first city centre shop will open in London in Autumn this year
IKEA is set to open smaller stores on the high street in the hopes it will attract more shoppers - but you won't be able to buy any Swedish meatballs.
The company's first city centre shop will open on Tottenham Court Road, London, in Autumn this year.
The miniature shop will specialise in kitchens and wardrobes and allow customers to browse, plan and order their furniture.
Although, it will come as a relief for Brits tired of travelling for hours to get their flatpack fix, it will be a disappointment for Swedish meatballs fans, as the miniature outlets will not be equipped with cafes.
Ikea will also introduce a 24-hours online delivery in response to changing customers' habits.
This strategy reflects a new approach from Ikea, which revealed a 38 per cent profits dive in UK profits last year.
Facts and figures
WHAT you need to know about the flatpack
- Average store size is about 300,000 sq ft – as big as 42 tennis courts.
- The Billy bookcase sells 500,000 every year – one every five seconds.
- Ikea has sold 11.6bn Swedish meatballs and 1.2bn hot dogs in UK.
- 180m people read the catalogue every year – twice as many as the Bible.
Javier Quiñones, Ikea UK and Ireland Country retail manager, said: “In a fast-changing retail environment, the opening of this new city centre shop marks an exciting development for the Ikea business as we continue to innovate and transform to better meet the needs of our customers.
"We are proud that London is the first city globally to pilot this concept, as we aim to be more accessible and bring IKEA closer to many more people.
"By launching this new approach and investing in our online offer and services, we are working to ensure IKEA remains affordable, convenient and sustainable, both now and in the future.”
In addition to the new Tottenham Court Road shop, Ikea is also exploring other locations in London for similar outlets as well as opportunities to test and trial different formats in the city centre.
More about Ikea
Jane Bisset, Ikea London city centre market leader, added: “Our new city centre approach is designed to complement our larger stores and digital offering so customers have a wide range of choices that suit their needs and lifestyles.
Are you planning to visit an Ikea store in the near future? This nifty trick will let you sip on unlimited free tea or coffee whilst you shop for furniture.
The boffins over at have also put together a roundup of the best hacks that will get you through your store experience, including beating the queues and store shortcuts.
Love Ikea? So do this couple... who go there regularly for a DATE NIGHT.
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