IKEA stores will radically change – what awaits customers

IKEA Sverige has announced the launch of a new format of compact stores within walking distance, aiming to save customers from trips to suburban hypermarkets. About ten such locations are planned to open in Sweden over three years. The assortment includes everyday goods, snacks, and consultations. The full catalog is available through an ordering system. Pilot projects are already operating in Europe and the US.

The Swedish furniture giant IKEA is radically transforming its retail strategy, focusing on compact stores within walking distance. IKEA Sverige's management has announced the launch of a new format of small retail outlets, with about ten locations planned in Sweden over the next three years. Country manager Sara del Fabbro emphasized that the brand is responsible for maintaining its accessibility and relevance, leading to the decision to enter new locations—small towns and densely populated suburbs. The assortment of these stores includes thousands of in-demand everyday goods, drinks and light snacks, as well as basic consultations from interior planning specialists. Customers will retain full access to the catalog through a home delivery or pickup ordering system. This format is intended to complement, not replace, hypermarkets. Pilot projects are already proving viable in France, Portugal, the US, UK, Poland, Germany, and Norway. Concurrently, the company is undergoing reorganization: a large complex in Uppsala is set to open on November 19, 2026, after closing on April 15, 2025, due to construction defects. Optimization will lead to the reduction of 15 administrative units while simultaneously hiring up to 30 new employees. Additionally, 60 workers at the distribution center in Älmhult have received notices of potential layoffs due to the redirection of goods flows to the logistics hub in Torsvik.