The IKEA brand is making its way to Abbotsford, but it's not exactly the famous Swedish meatball supplier and furniture store that everyone is familiar with.
Instead, the mega brand recently announced that Abbotsford will be home to its newest plan and order point, making this the first facility of its kind in B.C. and only the 11th in all of Canada.
Rather than the traditional IKEA stores, these plan and order point locations are a place for customers to receive one-on-one planning services, with IKEA experts helping to design the furnishing layouts for any room.
Once the shoppers have a custom layout that they love, the orders for the corresponding IKEA furniture pieces can be placed right at the store, with the items either delivered to the customer's home or available for pickup at the plan and order point.
The company also explained that those looking to make a quick addition to their home will be able to shop among a selection of up to 100 IKEA products that will be held at the plan and order point store, but the famous meatballs will not be one of these items.
IKEA Canada's country business development and transformation manager, Jessie Quick, said that these plan and order points are an important evolution to the IKEA shopping experience, allowing the brand to deliver a seamless retail experience.
"With the ongoing success and positive customer response to our existing plan and order points, we see that Canadians are seeking inspiration and expertise to improve their spaces and better meet their evolving needs at home," Quick said.
Having this new location in Abbotsford will help to fill in a gap in the Fraser Valley market, with the only two IKEA stores in B.C. located in Richmond and Coquitlam.
Janet McGowan, west market area manager at IKEA Canada, explained that there are also six pick-up locations and one customer distribution centre spread throughout the province, with the company having a B.C. presence for almost 50 years.
"We're extremely proud of our history and connections with the B.C. community, and continued growth in Western Canada is an important focus for IKEA Canada," McGowan said.
"We're thrilled to bring this unique IKEA format to B.C. and support the many Fraser Valley residents in creating a better everyday life at home through beautiful, functional, and sustainable home furnishings that fit their budget."
This new plan and order point will be located at West Oaks Mall (32700 South Fraser Way) and has a projected opening date of late fall 2025.
