Ikea’s highly anticipated flagship store is set to revolutionize London’s iconic Oxford Street, closing it to cars on its opening day and transforming the shopping destination into a pedestrianised haven.
The UK‘s largest furniture retailer, Ikea, has finally opened its highly anticipated flagship store in the heart of London’s Oxford Street. The three-floor shop, located in the building that once housed Topshop‘s former flagship store, promises to be a game-changer for the iconic shopping destination.
IKEA is a Swedish-founded, Dutch-based multinational group that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances, and home accessories.
Founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, the company has grown to become one of the world's largest furniture retailers.
IKEA operates over 400 stores worldwide, employing more than 230,000 people.
The company is known for its flat-pack packaging, which reduces shipping costs and environmental impact.
The Ikea store’s opening is seen as a key factor in hopes for the revival of Oxford Street. The Swedish company’s chief executive, Peter Jekelby, has backed calls to pedestrianise the street, stating that it would be ‘good for the street‘ and ‘make it easier to move around‘. London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, also welcomed the new store, saying it was a ‘huge vote of confidence in London, in our economy and in our plans to rejuvenate Oxford Street’.
The proposal to pedestrianise Oxford Street is part of a broader effort to revitalize the area. While some argue that the plan will improve the shopping experience, others are concerned about the potential impact on local businesses. Khan has encouraged everyone to have their say during the consultation period, which closes on 2 May.
The new Ikea store is a testament to the company’s commitment to creating an immersive brand experience. The bright and colourful store features a mix of meatballs, lampshades, and kitchen design assistance, as well as a live events space and one-to-one design services for kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms. The space also boasts huge animated displays of woodland scenes, buzzing bees, and a variety of Londoners talking about their home design choices.
The store will display approximately 6,000 Ikea products, ranging from ‘Billy‘ bookcases to drinking glasses. About 3,500 of these items will be available for customers to take away on the spot, while the rest can be delivered to homes. With its vast selection and affordable prices, Ikea is confident that it can thrive even in a time of economic uncertainty.
The opening of Ikea‘s flagship store marks an exciting new chapter for Oxford Street. While the area has gradually been rejuvenated since the Covid pandemic, there are still challenges to overcome. The influx of cheap American candy shops during this period highlighted the need for a more diverse and vibrant shopping experience.
However, with the arrival of new retailers such as HMV and Under Armour, as well as the revitalization efforts led by Sadiq Khan‘s administration, Oxford Street is finally beginning to regain its former glory. The Ikea store’s opening is just one part of this larger story, and it will be interesting to see how the area continues to evolve in the coming months and years.
