Ikea’s flurry of store openings will continue throughout August, with its second small store format branch set to open on 28 August.
The Norwich store will open the Hall Road Retail Park, employing 40 people.
The format has been developed to be significantly faster and more cost-effective to open than traditional Ikea stores, and follows that of a branch in Harlow’s former Homebase unit. ‘Located in retail parks, they will utilise the existing structure, making them just as easy to assemble as the brand’s famous flatpack furniture, and completed at pace,’ says the chain.
The third outlet is due to open in Chester.
‘We’re really excited about opening our new store: it may be small, but it’s packed with everything you’d expect from Ikea. This is a big step for us as we try out new ways to reach more people in more places. We can’t wait to become part of the Norwich community,’ says Milosz Grobelny, Ikea Norwich unit manager.
Meanwhile the chain has begun a new advertising camping for its forthcoming Brighton store, featuring seagulls discussing the merits of fish and chips and meatballs. The branch is due to open on 14 August.
