By Gary Porter,Owen Hughes
Copyright dailypost
IKEA has confirmed the opening date for a new store on the North Wales border. The Swedish retailer is launching the store at the Greyhound Retail Park in Chester.
It will open at the former Homebase unit at 10am on Thursday, October 9.
The store reflects a new format for the business. Following the recent opening of IKEA Harlow and IKEA Norwich, this is the third small store to open this year.
The format has been developed to be significantly faster and more cost-effective to open than traditional IKEA stores. Located in retail parks, they utilise the existing structure, making them just as easy to assemble as the brand’s famous flatpack furniture, and completed at pace.
The opening of IKEA Chester forms part of the retailer’s expansion strategy with the aim of bringing IKEA closer to where the many people live, work and socialise in new locations like suburbs, towns and smaller cities where the business is not yet physically present.
Offering a simpler and more convenient shopping experience, IKEA Chester’s compact layout will be easy to navigate and designed for everyday convenience. Customers can explore inspiring room sets, shop second-hand finds, plan their kitchens and take home a wide range of home furnishings and small furniture items the same day.
Andy MacGregor, Unit Manager for IKEA Chester, said: “We can’t wait to open our new home in Chester. While a small store, customers can still expect the IKEA experience they know and love, including home furnishing inspiration, our signature food, and expert planning services – and, of course, a warm welcome when we open our doors next month.”
The opening of IKEA Chester has also unlocked new work opportunities in the area. The store will be led by a team of around 35 co-workers with a variety of specialist skills, staffing the store for an ideal shopping experience.
IKEA Chester will be open Monday to Saturday from 10am-8pm, and Sundays from 10.30am-4.30pm.
