I love roaming through the maze of goods at our “local” Portland, Oregon IKEA. Of course, it is quite a drive from Eugene to the only IKEA in the state. IKEA Canada is testing a small-store concept in London, Ontario Canada this year that will allow expansion through smaller-pick up stores.
Walking the 280,000 square feet square foot Portland store adds up up to quite a few steps on my Fitbit. In comparison the new store at only 20,000 square feet offers less of a walking workout. But following IKEA’s tradition of getting the most out a small space it will feature five bathroom displays; four kitchen displays; three bed displays; four wardrobe displays; seventy-five home furnishings displays; eight planning desks, and material and finish samples.
Ikea to test retail concept at new location opening in Ontario | Toronto Star
Customer Service will stay “big scale” as the store will offer services including merchandise pick-up, home delivery, assembly, planning, returns and exchanges and online sales support. Customers can browse and buy from IKEA online on one of the on site tablets.
“Canada is one of the countries being used as a test market for the new retail concept. It has proven popular in Norway and in Spain, where 3,000 people lined up for opening day…If we see that it is a good thing, we will roll it out (to other locations).” – Stefan Sjostrand, president and chief executive officer of IKEA Canada via the Star.
Perhaps, if this works out a real local IKEA may be in my future. With service, selection, and local delivery the only thing I will miss are the Swedish meatballs.
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