IKEA has opened its highly-anticipated Oxford Street store, drawing a significant crowd, with some waiting from early morning.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at 10am, with Peter Jelkeby, CEO and chief sustainability officer, IKEA UK and Ireland, joined by IKEA co-workers, store manager Matt Gould, Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London (pictured), and Ambassador of Sweden to the UK, His Excellency Stefan Gullgren, to mark the launch.
Peter Jelkeby says: “Today marks the launch of an IKEA store like no other, designed for, and by, Londoners, situated in one of the world’s most recognisable shopping destinations. We’ve made this iconic retail space our new home in IKEA Oxford Street and can’t wait for all to experience a store filled with what they know and love about IKEA, as well as features unique to this one-of-a-kind location.”
The retailer took over Oxford Street for a moment of celebration, which included street performers. Among the first to enter the store was IKEA superfan, Vicky Dawson from Wrexham, who set herself the challenge of visiting all IKEA stores in the UK, and has now completed her mission.
She says: “Having visited every IKEA store in the UK, and many around the world, I love that each store takes a bit of the local community and represents it in its roomsets and design inspiration. I’m really excited about the opening of IKEA Oxford Street – I organised a whole holiday to London to make sure I got to experience IKEA’s Hus of Frakta pop-up recently.”
IKEA is running exclusive opening offers for IKEA Family members visiting the store in its opening week, across product lines and IKEA food.
The store is open daily, from 10am-8pm.
