IKEA Officially Opens Pick-up and order point in Kitchener

As part of a global test pilot, the Pick-up and order points offer another option in bringing IKEA closer to where our customers live

BURLINGTON, ON, June 7, 2016 /CNW/ - IKEA Canada announced that the Pick-up and order point in Kitchener, Ontario located at 130 Gateway Park Drive is now officially open to the public.

In IKEA's continued ambition to become even more accessible to our Canadian customers, the 4,043 square metre (43,518 square feet), Kitchener location is the largest of its kind globally. It gives customers who have shopped online or at an IKEA store an option to pick up their products closer to where they live. The Pick-up and order point will also feature 99 of IKEA's most popular products available for immediate takeaway. Customers can browse the range, access services to support their purchases, and use computer stations to view the range. IKEA's Pick-up and order point in Kitchener is now the sixth location open for business, following Quebec City, Quebec, London, St. Catharines, Windsor and Whitby, Ontario. All have been very successful, showing that Canadians are excited to shop at IKEA in more accessible ways.

IKEA currently has 12 stores across Canada and an eCommerce store. A 13^th store in Halifax, Nova Scotia will open in late 2017. The company sees growth potential in opening Pick-up and order points, a global test pilot format, in markets where there are currently no stores, ensuring IKEA is accessible to more people, faster.

"IKEA's growth through Pick-up and order points in Canada is a crucial part of our business and allows Canadians to have increased accessibility to our products," said Stefan Sjöstrand, President, IKEA Canada. "The Pick-up and order points are allowing IKEA to expand quickly into markets that have been identified as having potential, resulting in IKEA becoming more accessible to Canadians."

Customers in Kitchener, the Waterloo Region and beyond now have another way to interact with the IKEA brand in a smart and convenient way. The Pick-up and order point location will significantly reduce delivery costs for customers while delivering inspiration and services at the same time. The location features a home furnishing inspiration area as well as planning stations to support customers with the buying process.

"We're thrilled to welcome IKEA - a world-wide retailer - to our community," said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. "IKEA is a strong brand and is a significant attraction for Kitchener.  Not only will having IKEA in Kitchener help to keep consumers in our community, but it will also attract others into our community, particularly due to its proximity to Highway 401."

IKEA has hired 43 co-workers to support the new Pick-up and order point. Co-workers have been welcomed into an engaging environment with a strong focus on people and their professional growth.

ABOUT IKEA CANADA
IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer with 375 stores in more than 50 countries worldwide, which are visited by 884 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 12 stores, with recently announced plans to open a 13^th store in Halifax, Nova Scotia in late 2017, an eCommerce virtual store, Pick-up and order points in Quebec City, Quebec and London, Whitby, St. Catharines, Kitchener and Windsor, Ontario. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 25 million visitors to its stores and 75 million visitors to the IKEA.ca website. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.

SOURCE IKEA Canada

Tanya Bevington, Corporate Communications Manager, [email protected]