Ikea is taking over empty Debenhams in the center of the city with an eye on high street locations
IKEA is taking over an empty Debenhams branch in a major city center and is looking for additional locations on shopping streets.
The retailer is looking to move from its large warehouses to smaller locations and has now revealed plans for its newest store.
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Ikea is to open a new store in the former Debenhams store in Churchill Square, Brighton.
The site has remained empty since then The shopping giant collapsed into bankruptcy in 2021which led to the closure of all branches.
Fans have taken to social media to share their excitement about the store’s opening.
One shopper posted on the Hove Seafront Residents Association Facebook group: “Oooh exciting!! This will definitely attract people to Brighton.”
Another said: “This is great!”
And a third simply added: “Would be great to have an Ikea so close. Finally!”
The new Ikea store in Brighton will be the homeware retailer’s 23rd store in the UK.
It offers a wide selection of the brand’s most popular products, 6,000 items on display and 3,000 for immediate purchase.
The entire range is available.
There will also be in-store planning services to help customers plan their new kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
The two-story store will also feature a Swedish deli serving the retailer’s legendary meatballs.
Peter Jelkeby, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ikea UK, said: “We are excited to continue to expand and invest across the UK to make it easier and more sustainable for people to shop at IKEA.”
“Sussex has long been of interest to us and we are excited to bring IKEA closer to where our customers live, work and socialize, and become part of this vibrant community.”
Ikea has not yet confirmed the date for the store’s opening.
In October 2018, Ikea opened its first city center store on Tottenham Court Road in London.
It closed in July 2021, but it was not the end of Ikea’s high street expansion.
A new Ikea store on Oxford Street in London is scheduled to open in autumn 2024.
It will take over the old Topshop premises on Oxford Street and is expected to create more than 600 jobs.
Several major retail brands have announced plans to open new locations nationwide this year.
Brands looking to expand their portfolio include bakery chain Greggs and discounter B&M.
Avon, which has always been known for its door-to-door salespeople, will begin opening its first stores in the next two months.
However, some brick-and-mortar retailers struggled as shoppers turned their attention to online retail.
This has resulted in some well-known brands, including Wilko and Paperchase, disappearing from the high street entirely.
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