IKEA’s highly anticipated San Francisco outlet is officially opening this Wednesday. The city-formatted store, located on Market Street, offers a unique retail experience designed for urban settings, similar to IKEA’s London and Paris branches.
The store’s opening marks a positive sign for the city as it seeks to bounce back after the COVID-19 pandemic. The new IKEA is smaller than typical IKEA stores, spread across three levels, with a single entrance on Market Street and entirely self-checkout.
While there’s no store parking and cars are not permitted on Market Street, IKEA officials are encouraging shoppers to use public transportation. They noted that the store’s smaller furniture items are easy to carry on public transit, and the store also offers a home delivery service.
The store will employ unarmed guards to monitor for shoplifters, and IKEA staff will be on hand throughout the store to assist customers. Despite the unique challenges associated with opening a store in an urban environment, IKEA is confident in its investment and looks forward to contributing to the city’s revitalization.
Fans of IKEA’s famous Swedish meatballs will be pleased to know that they feature on the menu at the San Francisco store, both in their traditional form and as a plant-based option.