(Nexstar) – For those who enjoy exploring model rooms, navigating furniture with Swedish names, and dealing with sometimes frustrating assembly instructions, IKEA is a haven. However, if you’re among the many who can’t easily access one of their U.S. stores to grab a pencil, indulge in Swedish meatballs, or leave with that iconic blue bag, you might be in luck soon.
Changes are on the horizon. IKEA has announced plans to open five additional locations by year-end, with at least one more expected by 2026.
This year alone, they’ve launched a store in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, alongside a new location in Beaverton, Oregon.
These new stores are notably smaller than the large warehouses many are accustomed to. For context, the IKEA in Portland spans around 280,000 square feet and boasts 1,200 parking spots. In contrast, the new Beaverton site features minimal parking and a much tighter layout.
These streamlined IKEA stores, referred to as Plan & Order Points, are designed to make shopping easier for customers, whether they’re frequent visitors or newcomers. While not offering the entire gamut of IKEA products, they do provide digital access to the full range.
Shoppers won’t be able to take furniture home the same day, but IKEA staff will help them “plan and order” home solutions. Delivery and pickups can be arranged at these locations, which also serve as convenient spots for picking up online orders.
Another similar store recently opened in Hunt Valley, Maryland, with more set to follow in California and Nevada next year, as confirmed by an IKEA spokesperson.
By mid-2025, IKEA will have 17 of these Planning and Order locations across 10 states, although one in Alpharetta, Georgia will close at the end of August.
This month, the company also opened a smaller store in San Marcos, Texas, promoting it as a localized solution tailored to meet the specific needs of that community. Despite its compact size of under 35,000 square feet, it showcases over 2,500 products and 2,000 items for purchase, including a limited selection of Swedish food.
Additionally, plans for new small-format stores are underway in Syracuse, New York, Dallas, Texas, Rockwall, Texas, and Phoenix next year. Overall, just three of IKEA’s more than 50 stores fall under this “small store” category, alongside locations in Arcadia and San Francisco, California.
Interestingly, while other businesses like Buc-ee’s might be expanding into new states, IKEA continues to grow within its established territories, already present across more than 30 states in the U.S.
