Ikea preps launch of standalone Decathlon unit at its 25,000 square metre Croydon store

Ikea has announced plans for a new Decathlon store within its Croydon location, with the doors set to open this spring.

This will be a standalone unit with a dedicated customer entrance, spanning 1,188 square metres of retail space within the 25,000 square metre Ikea store.  

Croydon will be the retailer’s first UK store to pilot this partnership. Decathlon will offer a curated selection of 5,000+ products across hiking, camping, running, fitness, swimming, cycling etc. It will also include services such as Buyback to keep gear in play, alongside Click & Collect.

Kim Chin-Sung, Market Manager at Ikea Croydon, says: “We first opened Croydon back in 1992 and since then, the way people shop has changed. At Ikea, we believe that our physical stores have a vital role to play, as a shopping destination and to inspire customers. The new Decathlon unit coming to Ikea Croydon is the latest example of us investing in and reimagining our stores to ensure customers and co-workers continue to get the most out of these spaces.”

Mónica Cedres, London City Leader, Decathlon UK, says: “Our purpose is to bring people together through sport to make wellbeing accessible for all. This new home at Ikea Croydon represents a bold step in our mission to help more people across the UK and Ireland become active.”

“This is the next step in our retail journey to create a personalised local destination where our passionate team of sports experts can help customers rediscover or find their new favourite activity.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Physical stores will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards will open for entries in April. They celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 15th October.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.