IKEA has inaugurated its first small format store in Harlow, Essex, as part of its ongoing expansion in the UK.
The new location aims to provide a quicker and simpler shopping experience.
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The Harlow store features a compact layout that allows shoppers to view various room setups and purchase a selection of furnishings and smaller items for immediate use.
It includes a curated showroom, seasonal product offerings and access to IKEA’s extensive inventory, which can be delivered to customers’ homes or picked up from the store with next-day collection at no additional cost.
Other services available at the store include the option to trade in pre-owned items for store credit and assistance with planning kitchen and bedroom layouts, supported by a team of staff members.
The store also offers a range of Swedish food options for customers to enjoy on-site or take away.
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By GlobalDataThe company plans two more small stores in Norwich and Chester in the second half of 2025.
It is also set to launch additional Plan and Order Points in Dundee and York, and a new city store in Brighton.
This follows the recent openings of IKEA Plan and Order Point Hull and a city centre store on Oxford Street in London in early 2025.
IKEA UK and Ireland chief strategy officer and CEO Peter Jelkeby stated: “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.”
