// Ikea is set to close its huge superstore in Tottenham in north London putting 450 jobs at risk
// It has not yet confirmed the closure date and the store will continue to trade normally for now
Ikea is to close its Tottenham superstore in Edmonton, North London, as part of its transformation plan for the Capital, putting 450 jobs at risk.
The decision comes as the Swedish furniture giant retailer commits to investing more than £1bn in London over the next three years to better meet the needs of its shoppers.
It has not yet confirmed the closure date and the store will continue to trade normally for now and Ikea said it is set to enter a period of consultation with the 450 workers affected, pledging to find alternative jobs for “as many as possible” of the staff.
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The business will create over 600 vacancies in London before the proposed store closure, which as a priority will be offered to the affected co-workers.
The business said the shift to online shopping and the redevelopment of the area where the store is located forced it “to assess the long-term viability of the site”.
Last year, online represented almost half of the retailers’ total sales and the demand for different services as well as convenient deliveries accelerated.
As part of the retailer’s move to strengthen its long-term position, this February a new, smaller format store opened in Hammersmith, West London.
Moving forward, the business will open a new fulfilment centre in Dartford in December 2022, expanding its fulfilment capacity and unlocking 24-hour deliveries in London.
In Autumn 2023, Ikea will also open the doors to its highly anticipated store on London’s Oxford Street.
Peter Jelkeby, Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA UK & Ireland said: “Taking care of our co-workers is our highest priority and we will lead with respect and compassion throughout the process. The decision to propose closing the Tottenham store has not been taken lightly but we believe it is the right thing to do for our customers and business as we strengthen our position for the future. We will do everything we can to support the co-workers affected and our hope is that as many as possible will continue their career journey with us.”
The other five Ikea stores in London – in Croydon, Greenwich, Hammersmith, Lakeside and Wembley – will continue to play an important role in the retailer’s business model. As well as centres of home furnishing inspiration, the stores will see investments to further support the increasing demand for faster and more sustainable home deliveries.
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