Ikea to build full-size store in Halifax, the first of 12 new locations across Canada

HALIFAX — Ikea has announced plans to build a full-size store within the Halifax area, the first of 12 new stores the Scandinavian furniture chain will unveil across Canada within the next decade.

Ikea to double stores in Canada even while website sales soar

Ikea Canada will double its store count over the next Ten years, a bold proof of the retailer’s continued faith in bricks-and-mortar stores despite making sizable gains online

Read more

Stefan Sjostrand, president IKEA Canada, said the 328,000-square-foot store is going to be located in the Dartmouth Crossing retail area and will include a showroom, playroom and restaurant featuring the company’s signature Swedish meatballs.

“I got mail from the people living in Halifax, in Quebec, asking us to open up an outlet in the area, and I’m very thrilled to be able to make this announcement for the people living here,” said Sjostrand within an interview prior to the official announcement in Halifax on Friday.

Construction is expected to begin come july 1st and can take roughly 14 to 16 months to accomplish, said Sjostrand.

He said the decision to setup shop in Halifax came after more than a year of site visits and consultations and was based on factors for example population and location accessibility.

“It’s important that we’re near to where the main visitors are, so we can reach as numerous people as you possibly can,” said Sjostrand, who is originally from Sweden.

“There was additionally a site ready for all of us, so that led to the process being the very first stop about this fantastic expansion journey we’ve before us.”

Related

Ikea Canada to open two ‘pick-up’ stores in Quebec City and London, Ont.Ikea’s Canadian sales jump 5% as retailer eyes collaborations with famous designers

Sjostrand wouldn’t say if there are more Ikea stores in Atlantic Canada’s future. But he said he believes people will travel from across the region to visit the Halifax store.

“The mixture of our understanding of how people live their lives in your own home, and our inspiration, low prices and quality, it gives customers good reasons to visit our stores,” said Sjostrand.

The official announcement prompted lots of positive reaction on social networking, carrying out a two-day flurry of speculation that began minutes after Ikea first said it involved to unveil plans for Halifax.

“I really hope this can be a lifelong relationship, Ikea, and not simply a one night stand like that jerk Target,” tweeted Halifax user @LauraORourke, referring to Target’s short-lived foray in to the Canadian market.

“New IKEA store would open after this season, but they’re having issues following the instructions to assemble it,” noted the bloggers behind @NSTreasures.

At least one Halifax resident seized the opportunity to spite the city’s regional rival of Moncton, N.B.

“IKEA visiting Halifax. Full store. Up yours Moncton!” posted @warrenhaight.

The new store marks the return of Ikea towards the province. The chain opened its first Canadian store in Halifax a lot more than 4 decades ago but it closed several years later, said Sjostrand.

He said the brand new store will be its most sustainable in Canada, with rooftop solar power panels providing electricity to the building, a geothermal energy generation system for heating and cooling and LED lighting throughout the store.

“It’s so important to operate towards sustainability. Sustainability should not be a luxury for some, it should be available to many,” said Sjostrand, adding that Ikea sold more than one million LED bulbs in Canada in the last year.

“When we can support our people to live a more sustainable life in your own home, that could have a big impact on their environment.”

Sjostrand said the company is aiming to be energy independent by 2020.

 

The Canadian Press