IKEA Milton Keynes

Despite the freezing temperatures and heavy snow conditions, over 22,500 people visited the opening of the new IKEA, Milton Keynes - one of the best attended UK openings in the IKEA history.

Keen shoppers, determined to be the first to enter the store, started queuing from as early as 6.30am although the store didn't open until 10am. IKEA co-workers were on hand to warm the crowds with fresh coffees while they were entertained by ice sculptors, an ABBA tribute band, live reindeer and a brass band - even the snow helped create the idyllic Scandinavian feel.

Store manager Mats Kotka and the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Phil Gerrella performed the ceremonious sawing of the log to signify the official opening of the store, while 2,000 blue and yellow balloons were released into the air. The first person in the queue was given a surprise gift of £2,000 to spend within the store while the next four won a free bed of their choice complete with bed furnishings. The next 95 people received an IKEA start box.

Throughout the day there was a calm and relaxed atmosphere amongst shoppers with each of the 22 thousand managing the shop with ease. Both the public and local authorities praised the smooth running and organisation of the day, which passed without a single hitch.

The day also passed without disruption to the traffic system around the area, which was down to superb management of customer traffic according to Mats Kotka, he said: "We were thrown every challenge possible for the opening including heavy snow but I am extremely pleased with the success and smooth operation of the whole day. We received a great response from our customers and their families, which gives us all great belief of future success of the Milton Keynes store.

"I was delighted to see people from all over the region had made the journey to come and see us on this day, I was even told of a family that had come from the Scottish Borders."

While shoppers took advantage of the bargain prices, the restaurant and bistro was busy feeding those that had built up an appetite. Over 1900 hotdogs were sold and approximately 17,710 meatballs were consumed.

The Mayor of Milton Keynes gave a speech at an early morning breakfast for local business directors and dignitaries, including MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman and The Swedish Charge d'affairs. Within his speech, The Mayor said: ""This new development which offers employment for more than 400 people must be seen as a positive step for the local communities. This is also an exciting day for Milton Keynes retail world and a day that has been long awaited. I am delighted to declare on this snowy Scandinavian day the store open and have been impressed by what I've seen during our tour of the store".

IKEA Milton Keynes is the 14th IKEA store to open in the UK and has created around 400 jobs. The store expects to settle at approximately 50,000 visitors each week once the initial opening period has passed.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00am to 10:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am to 5pm (browsing from 10am)
Bank Holidays: 10:00am to 8:00pm*
*On the opening Bank Holiday IKEA Milton Keynes will be open 10:00am to 10:00pm

Aditional Information

MKWeb were invited along a few weeks ago to view the new store in its final stages of completion. The images throughout show how it was getting along.

IKEA Milton Keynes is the first purpose built 'back-fill' racking store offering considerable practical benefits for both co-workers and customers. The back fill system requires less warehouse storage space therefore offering more display area in store. The system also allows the replenishment of stock without ever using equipment such as fork-lift trucks on the store floor without disrupting the customer experience and making it a safer shopping environment. This means there is no need for staff to work unsocial night shift hours, leaving more time to improve work life balance.

The store format will see customers enter the store from the ground carpark area under the store and then guided by lift or escalator to the top floor where they can then shop their way down. From top to bottom, customers can experience a showroom featuring 55 room sets - including 4 homes, market hall, a family friendly 460 capacity restaurant, self-service area, a children's playground called 'Smaland' and the IKEA Swedish Food market.

In true Swedish style, IKEA Food Service (IFS) brings a new experience to the region that will give visitors both a flavour of traditional Swedish food and local food in the restaurant. Customers will be given the option to experience what people in Sweden eat and drink through the seasons; with traditional food such as herring, crispbread, lingonberry drinks and not forgetting the world-famous IKEA Swedish meatballs.

Visitors to IKEA Milton Keynes will be able to take advantage of the well designed, functional furniture and home furnishing accessories, which IKEA has become famous for. With a focus on low price and wide product range, IKEA will meet the customer needs furnishing their complete home in kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms and lounges, by offering a depth and width of items, available to be taken home immediately.

The customer experience does not stop once people leave the store, either. Unlike many other IKEA stores, at Milton Keynes, customers will be allowed to take their trolleys from the store directly to their cars to load, making transportation that much easier.

IKEA is based in Milton Keynes. However, understanding that people will travel considerable distances to visit the store. Mats Kotka says; "We believe that people within a 60 minute drive time catchment area will visit the store. Therefore we want to make sure people travelling from Rugby, Peterborough, Cambridge, Oxford or Watford and from all areas within that catchment area see that Milton Keynes store to be their own IKEA."

The opening period will feature exciting entertainment and special events for all the family to make their IKEA experience a fun and memorable one.

IKEA Milton Keynes expects to settle at approximately 50,000 visitors each week once the initial launch period has settled and is expected to relieve much pressure of demand from the London and Birmingham stores, thereby improving the overall IKEA customer experience.





Address:
IKEA Milton Keynes
Goslington
Off Bletcham Way
Milton Keynes
MK1 1RN
Tel: 0845 355 2185

More information about the store is available at www.ikea.co.uk

Vital stats about the store:

IKEA Milton Keynes will carry over 7,500 products from the IKEA range.

Over 1,000 parking spaces will be available - 500 of which are located under the store.

IKEA Milton Keynes will feature 55 room sets, including four homes.

Load direct to vehicle no pickup necessary (2nd store in UK to do so from opening)

Small pickup area 24 spaces only

35 car park marshalls

Home delivery service

Started build 02/05/05 opening 27/12 31 weeks, fastest build ever.

Predict 50,000 customers per week - approximately 2 million a year

Cost £88M to build

400 jobs will be created

Requires 150 trucks to fill the store

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