Ikea is planning to open its largest Irish ‘Plan and Order Point’ in the heart of Knocknacarra before the autumn.
This will be Ikea’s tenth facility in Ireland, and its largest outside its enormous Ballymun store in Dublin.
The Swedish furniture giant is notoriously cagey about announcing new facilities, but it has confirmed it will be opening a small store in the Gateway Retail Park near Dunnes Stores.
This Ikea outlet – the first in the west of Ireland - will offer services for customers to plan, design and order bespoke kitchen, bedroom and storage solutions.
Staff will be on-site to advise customers on planning, purchasing, ordering and installing their made-to-measure cabinetry and other customised fittings.
There will also be a limited range of around 250 home furnishing accessories for sale in the shop.
This unique offering, alongside a larger Click & Collect area and a self-serve section for flat-pack bestsellers, will facilitate customers to walk away with items on the same day, or conveniently pick up online orders. The flat-pack specialist has a similar set-up in Waterford, where it employs around 15 staff, including specialist designers.
The store will also serve as an in-store returns location.
Once open, customers will be able to book an appointment at IKEA.ie, or drop in to the store, to start their design with one of the IKEA design specialists.
“We are incredibly excited about the prospect of bringing this enhanced IKEA experience to Galway,” says Jayne Owen Gauld, Market Manager for IKEA Ireland. “This new Plan and Order Point, with its expanded immediate purchase and self-serve options, is a testament to our commitment to making IKEA more accessible and convenient for our customers in the West of Ireland.
“We’re really looking forward to becoming a part of the vibrant Galway retail landscape and community, and to helping more people create a better everyday life at home."
Paddy O’Connor is a director of Sigma Retail Partners, Asset Managers for Gateway Shopping Park: “We are delighted to welcome Ikea to Galway, and are excited for them joining the existing line-up of fantastic tenants at Gateway Shopping Park.
“We wish Ikea best of luck with their new opening, and are confident they will be a great success at Gateway Shopping Park.”
The new Plan and Order Point, located in the retail park, ensures easy accessibility and enhanced convenience for customers across the region.
