Greater Manchester's newest IKEA, which opened this week, has caused a stir by already dividing shoppers.
IKEA opened a new shop in Stockport's Mersey Way Shopping Centre on Tuesday (March 21). The announcement came with a video allowing customers to tour the new storefront.
The 'Plan & Order Point' is dedicated to kitchen and bedroom planning, where customers can visit for home furnishing advice and expertise to help design their ideal space, according to the retail giant. IKEA has promised the opening is part of a 'transformation' by the brand to 'become more accessible and sustainable for customers in the north west'.
But some fans of the Scandi brand say they are disappointed by the smaller store's limited selection.
READ MORE: New IKEA opening in Greater Manchester today - where and when it opens
It is smaller than the standard IKEA store and is intended to compliment the bigger units, the Scandinavian brand has confirmed, but is said to be packed with kitchen and wardrobe solutions - including oven and hob options, kitchen fronts, worktops and appliances. However, the announcement has divided customers.
The Manchester Evening News reported the reaction of readers and IKEA customers yesterday, and the mood was split. Some shared their sadness that the store is largely for kitchen and bedroom design rather than a full range of products and services. Jay Smith, a Facebook user, commented: "Just kitchens and bedrooms? I guess I won't ever need it then as my bedroom is done and the kitchen belongs to the landlord not me.
"I'll have to go to the Ashton one still then as I still have lot to do in my flat. Would have been easier in Stockport too as it's only 10 minutes on train."
Tania Halkyard, a fellow Facebook commenter, said: "Would have liked to have seen a smaller store that sold all the accessories, candles, containers, plants, kitchen utensils etc. The items you love but just cannot cope with walking round the big store."
Meanwhile, there have been some praising the opening. Laura Morris commented on Facebook: "Birthday treat for me this weekend."
Others raised a crucial problem - the lack of IKEA's beloved Swedish meatballs. Manchester Evening News reader SouthStand118 commented: "No meatballs, no party."
On opening day, Michael Parker, Area Manager of IKEA UK, said: “Our investment in the North West is part of our long-term plan to transform our retail business, continuing to make it easier for people to enjoy what IKEA offers using a variety of convenient ways. The North West is a key region for us, being home to over seven million people, and also being the place that IKEA first opened a UK store, 35 years ago in Warrington.
“This new Plan and Order Point, along with one already open in Aintree, Merseyside, and another soon to open in Preston, will allow customers to get inspiration and expert advice in convenient locations closer to where they live. Together with our existing stores in Ashton-under-Lyne and Warrington, remote planning and different delivery and collection services, we’re enabling an IKEA that’s there for our customers, however they want to meet us."
"The new store has been carefully designed based on insights around how people in Greater Manchester want their dream kitchens to be brought to life", added a spokesperson for IKEA, who says residents show a preference for kitchens in traditional styles, often in a L-shape. Customers can book an appointment, free of charge, to start their design journey with one of IKEA’s planning specialists or use the in-store self-service tools to design their own solution.
Staff will be on hand to help customers order products from the full IKEA range, for delivery direct to the customer’s home or nearest collection point.
The Plan & Order Point in Stockport will be followed by plans to open another in the Preston area, coming later in 2023. Opening hours are Monday–Saturday, 9am–6pm, Sunday, 11am–5pm.
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