As one of Ireland’s biggest cities, Cork has long been a hub of activity and commerce. But until recently, it lacked one major retail giant – an Ikea store. That all changed last year when the Swedish furniture giant opened a “compact” location in the city. While the slimmed-down store has been a hit with many customers in the area, there is still a growing chorus of shoppers who are calling for a larger Ballymun-sized store in Cork. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the current state of Ikea in Cork and explore why some customers are still longing for a bigger location.
Ikea has opened a new Plan and Order Point in Douglas Village Shopping Centre, joining three others already established across Ireland. Although the new store is much smaller than the Ballymun flagship, Ikea Ireland has reported success through its online platform, which accounted for more than half of its turnover in 2021. Despite this, Ikea’s competitors, such as Jysk, have established a strong physical presence across the country. The Plan and Order Point concept represents Ikea’s new approach to accessing customers in Ireland without the multi-million euro cost of a full-size store. While the new store in Douglas is booked up for its first week, customer feedback suggests a desire for a store experience more similar to Ballymun. Market Manager Martyn Allan hinted at the opening of the Douglas unit that this is just the “first step for Cork”, and Deputy Retail Manager Marsha Smith has not ruled out opening a full store “in the near future.”
In conclusion, while the arrival of Ikea in Cork is certainly exciting news for shoppers in the area, it seems that many would prefer a larger store like the one in Ballymun. Despite this, the company is committed to providing high-quality products and service, and the slimmed-down store will undoubtedly still offer a wide range of affordable furniture and home accessories. Whether you’re a loyal Ikea fan or just looking for some new inspiration for your home, be sure to check out the Cork store – you might just be surprised by what you find!
