IKEA “mini” has just opened in Sydney
IKEA devotees will be happy to know that the company has plans to open stores in selected local malls and shopping centres.
Obsessed with IKEA? Yeah, us too. A realm of practical knick-knacks and sleek storage solutions, IKEA is a maze of scandi-styling dreams. I (and a few people I know) would be at IKEA almost every weekend if it were just a bit closer to home.
But with the only Sydney locations at Tempe, Rhodes and Marsden Park, it means that many people (including myself) have quite a drive ahead of them in order to see the Stockholm entertainment unit and the Brimnes storage bed in the flesh.
Until now.
IKEA has plans to launch a spate of "mini" stores across Australia. And the first one has just opened in Sydney's North.
These new stores will be a different format than what we're used to from IKEA. Firstly, they're going to be a lot smaller which will allow for these new stores to appear in local malls and shopping centres, as opposed to being in their own standalone location. Another key difference, you won't be seeing any köttbullar (meatballs), lingonberry or kanelbullar (cinnamon buns) in the "mini" IKEA store. Making them smaller means we have to let go of the food sections. So, some of us (me) will still have to make a monthly pilgrimage out to a main store to stock up on spicy mustard and knäckebröd.
These "mini" stores are designed more as home planning studios, allowing shoppers to get a sneak peek into the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom offerings at IKEA. Shoppers will also be able to book consultations with staff in order to get help in planning a kitchen or bedroom renovation.
But don't worry, there will still be a range of home accessories in these "mini" stores plus you'll be able to get a glimpse at the rest of IKEA's stock through the "digital shopping walls" that will be featured instore. And you'll be able to use the wall to place online orders.
This first store is located in Westfield Warringah Mall on Sydney's Northern Beaches. But don't fret if that is still too far for you. According to Jan Gardberg chief executive at IKEA Australia, there could be more stores coming to Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, depending on the customer response to the new format.
This new format will be on trial for four months, and if all goes well, the other major cities should see "mini" IKEA stores soon. Fingers crossed.
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