Ikea has opened the doors to its new small-format store located in the former Homebase unit in Harlow.

The store features a new compact layout for the Swedish furniture giant, while still housing its showroom, market hall and dedicated areas for its planning services.

The business said the new retail park location was designed to offer a “simpler, faster shopping experience” for customers, as part of its strategy to be closer to where people live, work and shop.

Customers will also be able to shop pre-loved Ikea products and bring back unwanted items in exchange for store credit, as well as grab some food at its The Swedish Bite cafe.

Ikea UK and Ireland chief executive and sustainability officer Peter Jelkeby said: “The opening of Ikea Harlow marks an exciting milestone as we explore new ways to bring Ikea closer to our customers.

“We are opening our doors just over 100 days after acquiring the lease to the site, having made use of the existing structure to get our store ready at pace.

“By continuously reviewing and adapting our store formats, we aim to offer a more personalised and accessible retail experience.

“These new small-format stores fit seamlessly into our wider omnichannel strategy, ensuring our physical and digital channels work together to meet the diverse needs of our customers,” Jelkeby said.

The retailer has similar openings planned for Norwich and Chester later this year, after acquiring the former Homebase units in April.

Ikea unveiled its highly anticipated Oxford Street flagship at the start of May, 18 months after initially scheduled. The retailer spent the last three years transforming the 5,800sqm space that was once home to Topshop.

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter