Apr 26 2016
IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced that steel framing has progressed far enough that installation of the iconic blue composite panels has begun on its future Memphis store. Installing the blue panels is a construction milestone that keeps the store on track to open Fall 2016, and it reflects the unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide.
Construction progresses on future IKEA Memphis as iconic blue exterior begins to transform store opening fall 2016 (Photo: Business Wire)
The 271,000 square-foot future IKEA Memphis store, including approximately 800 parking spaces, is being built on 35 acres in the Wolfchase Corridor along the southwestern side of Interstate-40 near the Germantown Parkway exit. Until Fall 2016, Memphis-area customers can shop at the closest IKEA stores: Atlanta, GA; Frisco, TX; or St. Louis, MO; or online at IKEA-USA.com.
“With IKEA Memphis taking shape and the blue paneling now going up, we continue to be on track for a grand opening this Fall,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA U.S. president. “We hope to be enclosed fully within several months, and cannot wait to begin transforming the building’s interior to look like an IKEA store as well. We know there are many customers in the area who are excited for us to open, including more than 50,000 who currently are driving great distances to shop at our stores.”
IKEA Memphis will feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 300-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. IKEA also is evaluating potential on-site power generation to complement its current U.S. goal of a renewable energy presence at nearly 90% of its U.S. locations.
IKEA Memphis will provide annual sales and property tax revenue for local governments and schools. And – in addition to 500 jobs expected during construction – 225 coworkers will join the IKEA family when the store opens. Opportunities will be available in the spring for candidates interested in working at this employer of choice in home furnishings sales, interior decoration, customer service, safety and security, cashiers, maintenance, goods flow, receiving, warehouse and stock replenishment. Also, setting itself apart, IKEA Memphis will offer nearly 60 food service opportunities in its Restaurant, Swedish Food Market, Café Bistro and coworker cafeteria.