Ikea to open ten new smaller stores across Sweden

Ikea is launching a major expansion in Sweden, planning to open approximately ten new stores over the next three years. This strategy marks a significant shift for the retailer, moving away from traditional large-scale warehouses toward smaller, more accessible formats located in smaller towns and suburbs.

These new locations are designed to integrate into customers' daily routines rather than requiring dedicated trips to large commercial areas. While smaller in size, the stores will stock thousands of products for immediate purchase, offer food and beverages, and provide assistance with home planning services such as kitchen design. Customers will also be able to order items from the full Ikea catalog that are not physically present in the smaller stores.

This offensive comes as new Ikea Sweden country manager Sara del Fabbro seeks to address stagnant sales and navigate recent organizational restructuring and staff layoffs. The expansion aims to increase accessibility and affordability, following similar small-format testing in markets including the US, UK, Germany, Norway, and Poland.