Ikea’s Canadian division is rolling out a new smaller-format store concept as it looks to improve accessibility and adapt to changing shopping habits.
The first location will open in London, inside White Oaks Mall, with a footprint of roughly 43,000 square feet — about one-fifth the size of the company’s store in Burlington. The site will carry a curated assortment of more than 2,000 home essentials and seasonal products.
CEO Selwyn Crittendon said the move is part of a broader effort to make Ikea more accessible, affordable and sustainable, while responding to evolving customer needs as the company approaches its 50th anniversary in Canada.
The smaller store will still offer access to Ikea’s full catalogue through online ordering, supported by flexible delivery and click-and-collect options.
It will also complement the company’s nearby “Plan and order point” in London, a service-focused location where customers can book consultations for home design and furnishing solutions.
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The format blends elements of Ikea’s traditional large stores with more compact, convenience-led retail, aiming to bring the brand closer to urban and suburban shoppers.
Crittendon said the concept builds on successful pilot stores in other markets and reflects a shift toward more flexible physical retail formats.
The initiative is part of Ingka Group’s wider strategy to diversify store formats globally. The group operates 574 Ikea locations across 31 countries, including 15 full-size stores and 12 planning studios in Canada.
In the U.S., Ikea is also expanding its footprint with plans for 10 new locations this year, including a city-centre store in Los Angeles and additional sites in Phoenix, Dallas, Houston and Chicago, underscoring its push toward a more flexible, omnichannel retail model.
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