IKEA today announced plans to open a new concept "Plan & order point with Pick-up," in Alpharetta. The new customer meeting point will be located in Mansell Crossing, a large power center along North Point Parkway, just off Exit 8 of Georgia 400.
The new IKEA shop will open between existing anchors Burlington and TJ Maxx in a space previously occupied by Casual Male XL. The center has in recent years welcomed several new stores including an REI in place of a former OfficeMax and more recently, the aforementioned Burlington in place of a former Toys R Us.
The IKEA Alpharetta Plan & order point with Pick-up (yes, that's the full name and its super annoying) is part of the company's strategy to increase accessibility and offer more ways for customers to shop, according to a company press release.
Unlike traditional large-format IKEA stores, this new format will focus on interior design planning with IKEA experts on site to offer recommendations and help plan and order home furnishing solutions like kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms. The store will offer items for delivery or pick-up but has no merchandise on hand so neither option would be immediate.
IKEA, which was founded in Sweden, is now based in the Netherlands and maintains a U.S. headquarters in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, entered the Atlanta market with their multi-level, 366,000 square foot superstore at Atlantic Station in 2005. The company in 2017 announced plans for a second large format store, just off I-75 in Marietta, but quietly abandoned those plans a few months later.
"I'm beyond excited to welcome customers at IKEA Alpharetta this summer. No more trekking through that notorious Atlanta traffic—now you can enjoy IKEA and our inspiring home design with less hassle. The IKEA Alpharetta Plan and order point with Pick-up brings our signature styles closer to the community—making it more accessible, more convenient, and of course, more affordable," said Brandon Lomax, Market Manager, IKEA U.S.
Lomax seems unfamiliar with just how bad Alpharetta traffic can be, especially on Georgia 400. Further, he suggests that the new format will be not only more accessible but also more affordable, but there is no mention of better or in any way cheaper prices at the small format store vs. the large format store.
According to the IKEA website, there are currently five Plan and order point shops open with more, including the Alpharetta location, coming soon.
Atlanta-based Floor & Decor opened a similarly targeted small format store in Buckhead in late 2022. The Floor & Decor Design Studio spans a little more than 12,000 square feet and is meant to serve as a resource and inspiration hub for customers to ultimately order from the retailer for delivery.
Does this new small format IKEA store appeal to you? Are you pleased to see things continue to open along North Point Parkway? Where do you do the majority of your home furnishings shopping?
Please share your thoughts below.
2 comments:
But you left out the most important question ........ Will it also sell the Swedish Meatballs and other food court foods?
It's an order kiosk. May as well order from home on your computer.
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