IKEA Opens first planning studios on US West Coast

Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, this week is opening its first two planning studios in Los Angeles, getting closer to customers in that part of the country.

Today [31st August] IKEA Arcadia, a new planning studio in the Westfield Santa Anita Shopping Mall, is welcoming first customers, two days after IKEA Long Beach opened its doors in the Long Beach Towne Center. The new Californian planning studios will focus on providing inspiration and smart home solutions for city living as IKEA continues to transform to better meet the needs of customers.

“Having a new touchpoint is always a special moment for us at IKEA and today we are thrilled as we open not one but two first planning studios in LA. Getting closer to our customers in California, around the US and the globe with an affordable offer is what drives our investments in new and existing touchpoints. We want to stay there for the many, both offline and online, and become even more accessible and convenient for generations to come,” says Tolga Öncü, Retail Operations Manager, Ingka Group.

The two new centrally located planning studios will allow customers to book appointments and get support from design specialists with planning and ordering home furnishing solutions that require a bit more help – such as kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms. While customers are unable to take home any products on their shopping day, the IKEA team will make sure that everything a customer orders is transported to their home or to another convenient point of delivery.

“The all-new planning studios in Arcadia and Long Beach will allow customers to meet with professional consultants who can help them optimise their living space,” said Gustavo Tinajero, Greater Los Angeles Market Area Manager at IKEA US. “With full-service delivery, this is a new, intimate experience that’s uniquely IKEA and uniquely LA.”

In addition to opening new store formats in city centres, IKEA has made significant investments to enhance its e-commerce experience and service offerings in the US, including new lower priced shipping and delivery, Click & Collect, and TaskRabbit assembly services.

The new planning studios are part of Ingka Group’s EUR 3 billion push in accelerating its expansion before the end of next calendar year. The company will focus its expansion investments in new physical touchpoints as well as in revamping existing ones for a more immersive IKEA experience and to further support the increasing demand for deliveries.

Source : IKEA

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