Sneak Peek: The New IKEA Planning Studio
Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA is bringing its smaller urban format to the U.S.
On Monday, April 15, IKEA’s first “city center” location will open on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 999 Third Avenue. The IKEA Planning Studio, a three-level, 17,350-sq.-ft. store, is designed to offer inspiration and solutions for city living and small spaces. IKEA plans to open 30 city-center stores globally over the next three years.
Following the growing trend of stores without inventory, all purchases made in the store will be delivered, at a cost, to shoppers’ homes. Its recently opened customer fulfilment center in Staten Island will help fulfill orders. In addition, shoppers will be able to arrange for furniture assembly and installation.
“We conducted extensive research about city living, and we believe New Yorkers will see their needs reflected this new concept,” said Leontyne Green Sykes, COO at IKEA Retail U.S. “We hope the Planning Studio will serve as a convenient destination for design expertise and stylish, multi-functional home furnishing solutions.”
While walk-ins are welcome, IKEA experts will be available by appointment to help customers in designing spaces and planning projects. IKEA also plans to launch an online and mobile booking tool to help shoppers schedule appointments and maximize their time with IKEA planning specialists.
The Planning Studio will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. offering personalized service, a number of styled vignettes of urban living spaces, areas outfitted with computers where shoppers can interact with Ikea’s online room-planning features, and touch-screens allowing customers to easily look up products.
