IKEA to expand in the North-west with new Plan & Order Point in Stockport

Stockport is to be home to a new IKEA Plan & Order Point as part of the Swedish retail giant’s plans to expand its reach in North-west England.

As a complement to the bigger IKEA stores, the Plan & Order Points will provide customers with a free, bespoke design consultation with experienced IKEA kitchen and bedroom storage experts. The focus will be on bespoke kitchen and wardrobe designs, although customers will be able to get help planning any room in their home.

The initiative comes as part of the retailer’s ongoing transformation to make it easier and more accessible to shop with IKEA. Three new Plan & Order Points are planned for the North-west, in Aintree, Preston and in Stockport, complementing existing stores in Warrington and Ashton-under-Lyne.

Unlike traditional stores, there will be no products to take away or food for sale on site. Instead, customer orders will be transported to the customer’s home, or made available for collection to another convenient point of delivery.

Marsha Smith, Deputy Country Retail Manager, IKEA UK & Ireland, says:

“Our investment in the North West is part of our long-term plan to transform our retail business, making it easier for our customers to shop with us in a number of convenient ways. With a variety of stores, service offers and digital solutions that complement each other, our aim is to be there for our customers, however they want to meet us.”

“Our expert co-workers will be available to help the customers to plan affordable kitchens or bedroom – helping our customers to create a better everyday life at home. We offer a full complement of affordable services including finance, installation and assembly.”

The new sites, located in retail parks and shopping centres, will be sized between 70 to 90 sq m and are expected to showcase around five kitchen and wardrobe solutions, as well as having a consultation area. A location for the Stockport site has not been revealed, however, IKEA expect the new Plan & Order Point to open during this Winter.