IKEA to open new Oxford Street store on 1 May
IKEA is to open its highly anticipated store on London’s Oxford Street on 1 May.
Spanning three floors of the Oxford Circus site, the new space will aim to bring together home furnishing inspiration and retail innovation, and offer more than just a place to shop.
The move follows an extensive renovation of the Grade II listed building by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group.
IKEA is currently working to open more stores in city centres and expand with smaller formats.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Peter Jelkeby, chief executive and chief sustainability officer of IKEA UK, said: “Tomorrow, we will celebrate our new home on Oxford Street, a milestone in our journey to becoming more accessible.
“It will be an IKEA many know and love, with some new features exclusive to this iconic city centre store. Created in collaboration with real voices and with Londoners in mind, opening our doors is a landmark moment following a meticulous renovation and we are truly excited to share it.”
The store will include three ground floor ‘Curated Shops’ with each featuring shopping edits created by Londoners to reflect and celebrate the character and diversity of the residents in the city. Throughout the year, new Londoners will be invited to curate their own product selection.
Meanwhile, IKEA’s iconic showroom has been taken one step further at the site with roomsets co-created with real people based on their own homes in the capital.
Customers will also be able to take advantage of IKEA’s design services for interiors, kitchens, and bedroom storage planning, as well as food from a 130-seater Swedish Deli.
In a first for IKEA, the Oxford Street store also features a 25 square metre live studio with broadcasting capabilities to enable the retailer to host interactive experiences and exhibitions for locally-relevant events.
Dee Corsi, chief executive of New West End Company, said: “Oxford Street has been long recognised as the nation’s high street, and for good reason.
“More than just a place to shop, it’s a destination – a place where people come to spend the day, explore, and enjoy everything the area has to offer.
“It has also been undergoing an exciting transformation over the last 18 months. The much-anticipated arrival of IKEA is an important milestone in that evolution, reinforcing the street’s global reputation as an iconic retail destination.”
