IKEA To Open New Format 'Small Store' In Harlow This Month

• IKEA confirms it is set to open its first Harlow location on Thursday 24th July 2025.
• This ‘small store’ format is the first of three to open, with two more planned to open in Norwich and Chester in the coming months.
• The stores, all of which will be located on retail parks, reflect a new format for IKEA: designed to be quick-to-market and offering a simpler, faster shopping experience, just around the corner.

IKEA is today announcing the upcoming opening of a new ‘small store’, in Harlow Retail Park, Harlow at 10.00am on Thursday, 24 July. This marks a significant milestone as IKEA establishes its presence in the town for the first time.

The store reflects a new format for the business. In the first of three to open this year, they have been developed to be significantly faster and more cost-effective to open than traditional IKEA stores. Located on retail parks, they will utilise the existing structure, making them just as easy to assemble as the brand’s famous flatpack furniture, and completed at pace. As a result, IKEA Harlow will open its doors just over 100 days after acquiring the lease, bringing IKEA closer to the many people in new locations like suburbs, towns and smaller cities where the business is not yet physically present.

Offering a simpler, faster and more convenient shopping experience, the compact layout will be easy to navigate and designed for everyday convenience. Customers can explore inspiring room sets, second-hand finds, plan their kitchens and take home a wide range of home furnishings and small furniture items the same day. Other key features and services include: 

• A showroom and market hall featuring IKEA’s most popular families, home furnishing accessories and limited-edition seasonal ranges.
  
  
• Online access to the full IKEA range, with the option of free, next day collection, or home delivery.
  
  
• Planning services for kitchens and bedroom storage to help customers design their dream spaces.
  
  
• The opportunity to buy pre-loved IKEA products at even more affordable prices and bring back IKEA items that are no longer needed in exchange for store credit.
  
  
• A selected food offer at The Swedish Bite for those wanting to eat in or take away. 

Peter Jelkeby, CEO and CSO, IKEA UK & Ireland said: “The opening of the IKEA Harlow small store is a landmark moment for us as we continue to evolve our retail offer and explore new ways to serve more people in more places. We look forward to joining this thriving town as part of the local community when we open our doors later this month.” 

Chris Vince, Member of Parliament for Harlow said: “It’s great to see IKEA opening its doors in Harlow this month. This marks a positive step for the town, bringing new opportunities for local residents and a welcome addition to the retail offering in the area.” 

The opening of IKEA Harlow unit has also unlocked new work opportunities in the area. The store will be led by a team of 40-strong co-workers with a variety of specialist skills, staffing the store for an ideal shopping experience.

IKEA Harlow forms part of IKEA’s wider expansion plan in 2025, which will include the upcoming opening of two Plan and Order Points in Dundee and York, small stores in Norwich and Chester and a new city store in Brighton. 

IKEA Harlow will open Monday to Saturday 9am – 8pm and Sundays 10.30am - 4.30pm.

Source : IKEA

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.