Ikea to test new ‘pick-up-point’ store format in Canada as part of global pilot

Burlington, Ontario -- Ikea is thinking small in Canada. Ikea Canada is testing a new concept, a “pick-up-point” store, in London, Ontario, and Quebec City. The two locations, slated to open in late 2015, will allow customers who have shopped online or at an Ikea store some distance away to pick up their products closer to where they live. Customers will also be able to buy services to support their purchases, sit at a computer station to browse the retailer’s web site, and also select among 99 of the company’s top-selling products available for immediate takeaway.



In addition, the locations will feature a home furnishing inspiration as well as stations to support customers with their planning process.



The pick-up store concept is part of an Ikea pilot for secondary markets where it currently has no stores, and where customers often must drive long distances or have their items shipped to their homes. The home furnishings giant currently has pick-up stores in Spain and Greece, with one due to open in Thailand this summer.



Ikea, which currently has 12 stores across Canada, said it sees a great growth potential in opening pick-up-points in markets where there are currently no stores.



"The ambition is to make Ikea more accessible to the many Canadians." said Stefan Sjöstrand, president, Ikea Canada. "The Pick-Up-Points allow Ikea to expand quickly into markets that have been identified as having potential, resulting in consumers having easier access to our products."



The new stores will feature Ikea’s signature blue and yellow signage. But they will be vastly smaller. Ikea Canada’s stores average about 323,000 sq. ft. By comparison, the new pick-up stores will average 20,000 sq. ft. to 40,000 sq. ft.