Ikea gears up to open third small store this year with Chester location launching next month

Ikea has confirmed plans to open a new small store in Chester’s Greyhound Park on 9th October. 

This will be the third small store the furniture retailer has opened in the UK this year as it finds continued success in the format. 

Designed to offer faster service and be more cost-effective than standard Ikea stores, the smaller outlets are located in retail parks using existing structures. Ikea says opening these outlets is as simple as assembling its famous flatpack furniture.

Andy MacGregor, Unit Manager at Ikea Chester, says: “We can’t wait to open our new home in Chester. While a small store, customers can still expect the Ikea experience they know and love, including home furnishing inspiration, our signature food, and expert planning services – and, of course, a warm welcome when we open our doors next month.”

Ikea Chester will have a compact layout including a showroom as well as a secondhand shop and small furniture items for sale. 

Customers can also access the full Ikea range online, with the option of home delivery or free collection.

The store is part of Ikea’s wider plans to expand in the UK this year, which will also see it open a Plan and Order point in Dundee later this year and follows the launch of its Oxford Street store.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Physical stores will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.