Global furniture and lifestyle giant IKEA is set to unveil the first of its next-generation small-format retail park stores in Harlow, England on 24 July 2025, marking a strategic evolution in its UK retail presence.
A Leaner, Faster Retail Strategy
The Harlow location is the first of three planned small-format stores opening this year, with Norwich and Chester expected to follow in the coming months. These new stores represent a quicker, more accessible shopping model aimed at delivering convenience in suburban areas, towns, and secondary cities—regions previously underserved by IKEA’s traditional large-scale warehouse format.
The company highlighted that the Harlow store will be operational just over 100 days after securing its lease—showcasing the speed and cost-efficiency of this new retail approach.
What to Expect at IKEA Harlow
Located at Harlow Retail Park, the store will include:
- Inspiring room sets
- Home planning services for kitchens and bedroom storage
- Same-day take-home of smaller furniture and décor
- A market hall featuring IKEA’s most popular products and seasonal lines
- Access to the entire online range with free next-day collection or home delivery
- A sustainability zone for purchasing or trading in pre-loved IKEA items
- Selected Swedish food items for dine-in or takeaway
Unlike the traditional IKEA model—often requiring hours of browsing through expansive layouts—this new store design focuses on efficiency and simplicity, providing an elevated experience for on-the-go shoppers.
Industry and Local Leader Perspectives
Peter Jelkeby, CEO and CSO of IKEA UK & Ireland, commented:
“The opening of the IKEA Harlow small store is a landmark moment for us as we continue to evolve our retail offer and explore new ways to serve more people in more places. We look forward to joining this thriving town as part of the local community when we open our doors later this month.”
Chris Vince, Member of Parliament for Harlow, added:
“It’s great to see IKEA opening its doors in Harlow this month. This marks a positive step for the town, bringing new opportunities for local residents and a welcome addition to the retail offering in the area.”
Former Homebase Sites Become IKEA Hubs
All three new-format stores are being developed on former Homebase retail sites, as follows:
- Harlow – Harlow Retail Park
- Norwich – Hall Road Retail Park
- Chester – Greyhound Retail Park
The brand expects to create over 100 new jobs across the three sites, as part of its ongoing investment in the UK retail landscape.
The Future of IKEA’s Global Retail Innovation
This move aligns with IKEA’s broader global strategy to increase accessibility, reduce store development timelines, and integrate sustainability and digital services into its next-generation formats. These pilot locations may influence similar rollouts across Europe and Asia, especially in fast-growing urban corridors and under-served retail parks.
Let’s Build the Future of Retail Together
At Star Brands Consulting Group, we help franchisees, real estate developers, and retail operators collaborate with major international brands like IKEA, aligning local opportunities with global expansion goals. Whether you’re exploring strategic leasing, mixed-use developments, or multi-market entry strategies, our team is here to guide your vision.