Ikea has a 75-year history of being known as the big blue warehouse with self-serve checkouts and flat-pack furniture collection, but all that is about to change thanks to new concepts that are being rolled out over the upcoming months.
The beloved (or tolerated) huge warehouse experience will soon by complimented by small-format stores in more accessible locations. While the iconic arrowed walkways will remain in the smaller-format stores, the self-service area will be replaced with home delivery from one of the three new distribution centres that will be located in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Online shopping, home delivery and new store formats will be accompanied by cheaper products, Australian manufacturing and furniture recycling initiatives.
“We want to be accessible and affordable for all Australians. We’re in the process right now to launch our online activities, we’ve opened up a customer distribution centre in Marsden Park (NSW), in two weeks we’re opening one up in Melbourne, and later in September or October we’ll open one in Queensland,” Ikea Australia country manager Jan Gardberg told News.com.au.
“Bulky furniture, mattresses, double beds, sofas and so on we will deliver to you through our distribution centres, but the cookware, textiles, lighting, home furnishings you will have there. With that we can do city stores, pop-up shops and so on.”
Today, Ikea has announced its very first small format store at Westfield Warringah Mall in Sydney, called The Planning Studio, specialising in kitchen and bedroom planning.
Opening at the beginning of May, the very first IKEA Planning Studio will help Aussies to plan and build their dream kitchen and bedrooms. Shoppers will be led by IKEA co-workers with one-on-one consultations, to help them plan their homes step by step. The process takes place at planning stations and tablets to make the customer’s journey even easier.
The Planning Studio’s design is inspired by Scandinavian modern style and the IKEA design values of sustainability, quality, form, function and affordability. The luxe bedroom environment will transport shoppers to a hub of femininity through floral scents and classic detailing, giving shopper’s access to better wardrobe storage solutions. Created with the eco-friendly shopper in mind, a soothing wellness sanctuary will host a variety of kitchen solutions, shaping a space ideal for inspiring food preparation and entertaining.
“We’ve chosen Warringah Mall as our first location in order to reach even more Australians that live within urban areas, outside of the city centre,” says IKEA Australia country manager, Jan Gardberg. “We want to inspire people to get creative and explore the possibilities of our range. The launch of our small format stores is just another way we’re helping Australians to create personalised and functional spaces within the home”.
The IKEA Home Planning Studio offering will expand across various locations Australia-wide.
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