Ikea is to launch a mini-store in west London in a bid to make visiting the furniture giant "more convenient than ever before".
In a UK first, the Swedish retailer has bought Kings Mall Shopping Centre in Hammersmith, where it will set up a smaller store to open in 2021.
The £170 million acquisition, by Ikea’s Ingka Centres property arm, marks the “next step” in its strategy to move further into city centres - despite current pressures on the UK high street.
Peter Jelkeby, country retail manager and chief sustainability officer at Ikea UK & Ireland, said: “Our plan to open a new city centre store in Hammersmith is an exciting next step as we continue to respond to people’s evolving shopping habits, making Ikea more convenient than ever before.
“People have been eager to see our affordable range and access our life-at-home expertise on the high street for some time, so we’re excited to introduce a unique Ikea store to the vibrant local community in Hammersmith and London.”
The move will take Ikea’s London store portfolio to six sites, having launched its latest store in the city in Greenwich last year.
Ikea also launched two London planning studios last year under its plan to develop new formats for inner city locations.
Gerard Groener, managing director at Ingka Centres, added: “Our urban projects are all about getting closer to more people.
“More of our customers are living in cities than ever before, and a regenerated Kings Mall will be an ideal location for reaching millions of Londoners.”
Additional reporting by PA.
