IKEA Canada expands omnichannel investments
By Retail4Growth Bureau | June 24, 2023
The retailer’s omnichannel transformation includes introducing new ways to shop, enhancements to existing store experiences, strengthened digital capabilities and services, along with optimized fulfilment networks to ensure integrated and seamless experience for shoppers, informs the company.
IKEA Canada has announced plans to inject more than $400 million into projects that expand fulfillment capabilities in the Greater Vancouver and Toronto Areas.
"At IKEA, we are always looking for ways to optimize our operations to better meet our customers' need for convenience and speed, while continuing to help fulfill their aspirations for a better life at home," notes Geoffrey Macdonald, CFO, IKEA Canada. "We are focused on further transforming and developing our fulfilment networks in key markets across the country to ensure that our products are available to customers whenever, wherever, and however they choose to shop with us."
In the Greater Vancouver Area, IKEA Canada aims to expand fulfillment capabilities at IKEA Richmond. Should the expansion project be approved, upon completion, the expanded IKEA Richmond store will provide customers with enhanced click and collect and locker pickup services, while supporting truck, parcel, and collection point delivery throughout the Greater Vancouver market. Expansion plans have been developed in alignment with the brand's climate-positive ambitions, and the new facility will help support short and stable lead times to customers while reducing costs and supporting market growth.
In the Greater Toronto Area, IKEA Canada intends to build a new Customer Distribution Centre in Hamilton, Ontario in 2025 that will support expansion throughout southwestern Ontario. IKEA Etobicoke and IKEA Vaughan will also undergo expansions by 2025 to strengthen their store fulfilment capabilities and further enable the company to keep in-demand products available and delivery times as short as possible, while also supporting future growth in the market.
This omnichannel transformation includes introducing new ways to shop, enhancements to existing store experiences, strengthened digital capabilities and services, along with optimized fulfilment networks to ensure that regardless of when, where or how customers choose to shop, their experience is integrated and seamless informs the company.
