IKEA to launch 24-hour delivery in London as its £1bn transformation plan opens new fulfilment centre and more small format stores
IKEA is opening at new fulfilment centre in Dartford, south London in December and roll out more small-format stores as it confirms 24 hour delivery in the UK capital.
Announcing plans to close its Tottenham store in North London, the furniture retailer has pledged that those co-workers affect will be redeployed as it ramps up its £1bn plans for changing how it services Londoners.
Moving forward, the retailer will open a new fulfilment centre in Dartford in December 2022, expanding its fulfilment capacity and unlocking 24-hour deliveries in London. In Autumn 2023, IKEA UK will open their long-awaited store on London’s Oxford Street.
The proposal to close the Tottenham store follows an extensive assessment of IKEA UK’s presence in London in line with changing shopping behaviours. Last year, online represented almost half of the retailers’ total sales and the demand for different services as well as convenient deliveries accelerated. This, combined with the redevelopment of the area where the store is located, prompted the retailer to assess the long-term viability of the site.
IKEA UK will now enter a period of collective consultation with the 450 co-workers affected by this proposal and is committed to retaining as many as possible. The business will create over 600 vacancies in London before the proposed store closure, which as a priority will be offered to the affected co-workers.
Peter Jelkeby, Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA UK & Ireland says: “Taking care of our co-workers is our highest priority and we will lead with respect and compassion throughout the process. The decision to propose closing the Tottenham store has not been taken lightly but we believe it is the right thing to do for our customers and business as we strengthen our position for the future. We will do everything we can to support the co-workers affected and our hope is that as many as possible will continue their career journey with us.”
The other five IKEA stores in London – in Croydon, Greenwich, Hammersmith, Lakeside and Wembley – will continue to play an important role in the retailer’s business model. As well as centres of home furnishing inspiration, the stores will see investments to further support the increasing demand for faster and more sustainable home deliveries.
