The location of a new IKEA store, with a twist, has been revealed
A new concept IKEA store will soon pop up in Melbourne’s west but there will be no meatballs. Find out more.
Wyndham Leader
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wyndham Leader. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The location of a new, never before seen IKEA store in Melbourne has been revealed.
IKEA will open a store at Highpoint Shopping centre later this month, with a twist.
Opening on Thursday September 29, it will have a different format to the traditional IKEA stores in Richmond and Springvale.
An IKEA Australia spokesperson said the shopping centre would be home to Australia’s first ever IKEA Plan and Order Point.
Depending on the success of the trial, more of the stores could pop up across the country.
It is a fraction of the size of the traditional stores, sized between 300 – 500sqm compared to the 28,000sqm of a regular IKEA store.
According to IKEA, the concept is designed to “provide customers with one-to-one advice on how to plan some of the more complex home furnishing products and services IKEA offers, and assistance with placing their order”.
Manager of IKEA Richmond and the new Highpoint store, Julian Pertile, said it was “fantastic” to be joining the “world-class” already at Highpoint Shopping Centre and hoped the new store would create “solutions” for new and existing IKEA customers.
“Unlike the large IKEA blue box warehouses, there will be no immediate articles or food for sale on site. Instead, the Plan and Order Point will provide inspiration and solutions for customers wanting to create their dream kitchen or wardrobe,” he said.
The store is also hoping to draw in customers who may be overwhelmed by the thought of going into a larger store.
“At the IKEA Highpoint Plan and Order Point we can engage with new Melbourne customers in a more personalised and bespoke way than ever before,” Mr Pertile said.
“We hope to welcome customers that have never shopped with us before, as well as existing customers that may have found creating complex solutions, such as a kitchen or wardrobe system, too daunting to tackle alone.”
Customers will be able to order what they need at the Plan and Order Point and then choose home delivery or pick up their items at a collection point close by.
Head of Retail and Mixed-Use at The GPT Group, Chris Barnett, said the group was “delighted” about the announcement.
“At GPT we are always looking to attract new and unique retail offerings that draw customers to our shopping centres. We look forward to the opening of the new IKEA Plan and Order Point in the coming months.”
Bookings for planning appointments at IKEA Highpoint Plan and Order Point can be made from September 15 via the IKEA website.
The first of their kind Plan and Order Points form part of the IKEA growth strategy for Australia, providing a new and innovative way to become more accessible and convenient for customers.
Alleged bottle-throwing Carlton fan likely to remain banned from footy
A lifetime ban against a Carlton fan who had been accused of throwing a water bottle and injuring an AFL umpire will likely remain in place, despite all criminal charges being dropped.
Man punched sister’s ex 14 times in public revenge attack
A man who violently assaulted his sister’s ex-partner outside a western suburbs shopping centre told cops his victim was “being dramatic” after suffering multiple facial injuries.