Overview
In the Melbourne–Sydney rivalry, the Victorian capital beat its New South Wales capital to score the first-ever Australian IKEA Plan and Order Point concept store back in 2022. But the Harbour City isn't too far behind, with the Swedish retailer announcing its second condensed site: in Belrose in the Northern Beaches, and opening this winter.
If you believe that IKEA's warehouse-style stores are basically furniture-filled playgrounds for adults, then you'll know their regular sprawling outposts are more than just a shopping space — they're the place where we all go to dream about our ideal homes. Who hasn't wandered through the Nordic brand's showroom setup, felt inspiration strike and suddenly known exactly what you want your house to look like? We all have, and that's often why visiting the chain isn't a short trip.
Fancy decking out a specific part of your home, but without also conjuring up plans for every other single room in your house, then picking up three throw cushions, realising you need a new lamp, somehow buying another Billy bookcase and also eating all of the Swedish meatballs? In other words, fancy solving a particular home-design problem without indulging in the full IKEA experience? That's where the brand's Plan and Order Point concept stores come in — a place, as the name suggests, where you can simply plan out what you need, then order it, all while getting advice from IKEA experts (and, yes, without having to wander through the chain's warehouses).
IKEA has been rolling out its Plan and Order Point locations around the world for a few years now, finally bringing the idea to Australia last year. Now, the second Aussie version of the concept store — and first Sydney one — will launch on Belrose's HomeCo shopping centre, and focus on the brand's more complex home solutions and products, such as kitchens and wardrobes.
Know that you want to give your kitchen a makeover, but daunted by the IKEA options? Desperate to organise your clothes, but looking for some advice about what'd work best for your bedroom? That's the kind of one-on-one service that'll be on offer — after which customers can order whatever they've decided upon while they're still at the Plan and Order Point, and then either get it delivered or pick it up at your chosen IKEA warehouse.
"The Plan and Order Point format has opened up new opportunity for IKEA to be exactly where our customers need us to be, and this is a key part of our growth strategy for IKEA in Australia," explains Johanna Gbenplay, IKEA Australia's Market Area Manager.
"We already have a strong presence with three IKEA stores in Sydney, but we will now be on the doorstep of the many people of the Northern Beaches area, who we know are avid home furnishers and renovators, but may have not considered IKEA as close or convenient for them previously."
"We have learnt valuable lessons from our first opening at Highpoint, Melbourne, and are anticipating an exciting response from existing and new customers when IKEA Belrose arrives in June."
This more compact IKEA outlet will only span 215 square metres, but it still gives customers access to the full IKEA range. Keen to order something that isn't a new kitchen or wardrobe? You can also do that here.
Although Belrose's new IKEA doesn't open till June — with an exact date still to be revealed — you can keep an eye out for bookings for planning appointments on the IKEA website.
IKEA's Belrose Plan and Order Point will open sometime in June at 4–6 Niangala Close, Belrose. Head to the IKEA website for more information and bookings.