🛍️ Small store, big concept
Ikea has launched its smallest store yet in the Netherlands, a 650 sqm Plan & Order Point in Leeuwarden, Friesland. This is 40 times smaller than a typical 25,000 sqm Ikea store. The focus here is not on offering large furniture but on providing personalized advice for bigger purchases like kitchens and cabinets. It is Ikea's first new store in the Netherlands in nine years, serving as a smaller-scale extension of the Groningen location. Customers can also buy small home accessories here.
🌍 A global strategy
This is part of Ikea's broader plan to become more accessible by diversifying store formats. The company is focusing on multiple ways for customers to shop, such as investing in delivery services, pick-up lockers, and even innovative machines that eliminate the need to enter the store for pickups. While this Plan & Order concept is new to the Netherlands, Ikea has already tested it in locations like London. Market manager Evelyn Cairo-Goris said, “We understand that customers need tailor-made advice for important purchases.”
📊 Leeuwarden and beyond
The Leeuwarden Plan & Order Point is the first of its kind in the Netherlands, but Ikea is already exploring other possible locations. The success of this smaller format will influence whether similar stores open in more Dutch cities. These small outlets allow Ikea to reach a broader audience without building massive traditional stores, a strategy that could become more common in urban areas with limited space. Ikea’s flexibility in its retail approach reflects its adaptability in an evolving marketplace.
🔍 Looking ahead
The new Leeuwarden store is more than just a place to buy furniture—it's part of Ikea’s future. The company is betting on increased demand for tailored advice and multi-channel shopping experiences. The Leeuwarden Plan & Order Point serves as a testing ground for smaller store concepts in the Netherlands. With this move, Ikea continues its push to bring services closer to customers, proving that even in a small space, big ideas can flourish.
Would you visit a smaller Ikea for advice?
