WHITBY - Customers in need of inexpensive furniture can rejoice--IKEA will open a new pick-up and order location in the Durham region of Ontario sometime this spring,
DurhamRegion.com reported.
The pick-up and order location announced at a press conference in October 2015 will replace the former Future Shop at 1650 Victoria St. E, in Whitby, Ontario.
IKEA Canada President, Stefan Sjostrand, said during the announcement in October, "Unlike a store that can take years to open, pick-up and order points allow IKEA to expand very quickly into new markets."
Currently, the closest store for Durham residents is in North York, and Sjostrand added that the company had long considered Whitby and the Durham region of Ontario as a prime market for expansion.
The Whitby location will be 33,303 square feet and feature a home furnishing inspiration area and stations to support customers with their planning process. Services at the location will include product pick-up, home delivery, assembly, planning, returns/exchanges and online sales support.
A pick-up and order point is a fraction of the size of a regular store, and aims to shorten delivery times and costs for customers, while "delivering inspiration and services."
Customers will be able to shop in the digitally-enabled sales area with free Wi-Fi, tablets and computers to browse items on IKEA's website. Any items purchased online or at a regular IKEA store can be delivered to a pick-up location for $20.
Pick-up locations are opening in
St. Catharines, Windsor and Kitchener in addition to the location slated for Whitby.
The Whitby IKEA pick-up location will need 30 to 35 employees to manage and run the location, so applicants are encouraged to apply at www.ikea.ca/careers to find more information.