Ikea to Open on Oxford Street After Delays
Ikea, the world’s largest furniture retailer, is set to open its doors on London’s Oxford Street starting May 1, after an 18-month delay. The new store, located in the former Topshop building, will present a mix of Swedish delicacies, lighting, and kitchen planning on its three floors, including a 130-seat Swedish deli, a variety of showrooms, and one-on-one design consultations.
The outlet will showcase approximately 6,000 Ikea products, from Billy bookcases to drinking glasses. About 3,500 of these items will be available for immediate purchase, while the remaining products will be available for home delivery. Peter Jelkeby, CEO of Ikea’s UK business, emphasized that the store is part of the company’s strategy to locate close to where customers live, work, and shop, in places easily accessible by public transport.
The store’s opening is expected to contribute to the revitalization of Oxford Street, which faced a drop in visitor numbers during the Covid pandemic and saw an influx of cheap American candy shops. Recent efforts have led to a decrease in vacant spaces and an influx of new businesses, including the return of HMV to its original site and the addition of sportswear brand Under Armour.
However, there has been ongoing debate about whether the street should be pedestrianized. Further developments on the street include a second Mango flagship and the gym operator Third Space as part of The Elephant, a £132m redevelopment of the former House of Fraser store.
The site of the new Ikea store, formerly the crown jewel of Philip Green’s retail empire, was purchased for an estimated £378m by Ikea’s parent group in early 2022. Renovations, however, faced complications including water ingress issues. Despite that, the retailer has taken measures to ensure the building is modern and environmentally friendly, including the installation of new insulation and a heat pump.
The shop is expected to employ 150 people, following a successful job recruitment period that saw over 3,700 applications in just five days, a record for the retailer.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/18/ikea-oxford-street-store-open-may-delay
