IKEA is set to open its Oxford Street store to the public on Thursday 1 May, marking a significant new chapter in its UK presence. Located at 214 Oxford Street, the new outlet occupies three floors of the former Topshop building and forms part of IKEA’s growing strategy to establish smaller, centrally located stores in high-footfall areas.
The store is designed to cater specifically to the needs of urban residents. It includes a variety of tailored features, from customer-designed showrooms based on real London homes to dedicated spaces for second-hand shopping and community engagement.
Peter Jelkeby, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA UK, said: “Tomorrow, we will celebrate our new home on Oxford Street, a milestone in our journey to becoming more accessible. It will be an IKEA many know and love, with some new features exclusive to this iconic city centre store. Created in collaboration with real voices and with Londoners in mind, opening our doors is a landmark moment following a meticulous renovation and we are truly excited to share it.”
In line with the brand’s sustainability goals, the store includes a Re-Shop and Re-Use section, offering second-life and discontinued products. It also houses a 25m² Live Studio – a global first for IKEA – created to host interactive events, exhibitions and broadcasts relevant to the local community. The store has approximately 3,500 products available for immediate takeaway, while larger items can be ordered from the full 10,000-product range for delivery or collection.
Designed to integrate seamlessly into city life, the new location features curated shop spaces created in collaboration with Londoners, as well as roomsets that reflect the diverse living arrangements found across the capital. These include set-ups for working from home, small business spaces, period interiors, and balcony retreats.
For those looking to eat in or take away, the store also features a 130-seat Swedish Deli offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Menu options include IKEA staples such as hot dogs from £0.85 and meatballs or plantballs starting at £4.95.
Tolga Öncü, Ingka Retail Manager (COO) at Ingka Group, said: “Adding Oxford Street to the IKEA map is a special moment for us. This store, on one of the busiest and most well-known streets in the world, exemplifies our ambition to innovate our retail presence and bring IKEA to where our customers live, work, and socialise. Offering our well-designed and affordable products to more people in city centres across the globe remains our way forward.”
The launch has drawn broad support from city authorities and business leaders. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan commented: “It’s fantastic news that IKEA is opening a new flagship store on Oxford Street. It’s a huge vote of confidence in London, in our economy and in our plans to rejuvenate Oxford Street and unlock its true potential. Oxford Street is one of the most famous shopping destinations in the world and we want to give it a new lease of life. This involves attracting brilliant companies like IKEA, which will help to create new jobs and increase footfall. We have developed bold proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street and to establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and outdoor events. The consultation on these plans closes on 2 May so I encourage everyone to have their say.”
Westminster City Council also played a role in supporting the store’s development and employment efforts. Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the opening of IKEA on Oxford Street, breathing new life into Westminster’s vibrant retail landscape. This new store brings yet another great global brand to the nation’s High Street, diversifies the retail offer and will help generate footfall that benefits all traders in the West End. We’re particularly proud that the Westminster Council’s Employment Service worked with IKEA to recruit local people to jobs at the new outlet. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the store will have on the local economy and will continue to support emerging businesses and established brands to Oxford Street and across the city.”
Dee Corsi, CEO of New West End Company, added: “Oxford Street has been long recognised as the nation’s high street, and for good reason. More than just a place to shop, it’s a destination – a place where people come to spend the day, explore, and enjoy everything the area has to offer. It has also been undergoing an exciting transformation over the last 18 months. The much-anticipated arrival of IKEA is an important milestone in that evolution, reinforcing the street’s global reputation as an iconic retail destination.”
