IKEA opens its Oxford Street store after two year delay but shoppers have one concern

The day has finally arrived. Affordable homeware store has arrived at the most iconic street for British shoppers and tourists alike: Oxford Street. The three-storey building with a retail space of 5,800 square metres is bound to take over one of the in the capital city.

The highly anticipated store was initially set to open in autumn 2023. However, IKEA announced its delay, moving it to the following year. The opening date was then again pushed for the late time for spring 2025, citing extensive refurbishment requirements.

But the wait is now over, as IKEA Oxford Street opens its doors at 214 Oxford Street on May 1. The new store will offer the , with its iconic showroom filled with home décor inspiration, dreamy room sets, and a market hall with home furnishing accessories. And of course, the delicatessen of the Swedish kitchen offering the signature hotdogs and meatballs served with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and cream sauce.

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The 113-year-old building was purchased by IKEA’s parent company Ingka Group for £378 million in 2021, reported. Interestingly, the building used to be home to the iconic Topshop store, which sadly closed down in 2021, after almost 30 years of trading.

At twice the size of its Hammersmith’s King Street store, IKEA Oxford Street is expected to attract 60,000 shoppers a week. The Oxford Street store will have a 25-square metre Live Studio available for "locally relevant events", as well as a Re-Shop and Re-Use section for customers to buy second-hand, second-life, and discontinued IKEA products.

IKEA UK shared the exciting news via their account, captioning it: “The wait is almost over… IKEA is coming to Oxford Street on 1st May! Hit the reminder button to get notified!”

Excited shoppers, who have been counting down the days, flooded the comment section. One wrote: “Finally it is getting opened… Some of us have waited this long to see it opened.”

A second user followed: “FINALLY.” With a third one commenting, “We used to shop till we dropped at Topshop! Now we’ll be shopping to stay in our comfort zones!”

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However, shoppers have one concern about the store opening on one of the busiest streets in London. As Click & Collect will be available for shoppers, the lack of parking space on Oxford Street has left some wondering how they will carry their big purchases. One Instagram user questioned with a laughing emoji: “How are you meant to collect big things when you can’t drive down there.”

Peter Jelkeby, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA UK, said: “Whether a local Londoner or a tourist passing through, IKEA Oxford Street aims to inspire home dreams for everyone – offering beautifully designed, functional furnishings at prices affordable for as many people as possible, ensuring visitors leave with ideas and solutions that make everyday life at home a little better”.

London's Oxford Street is an iconic shipping district, with an estimated half a million people. He added: "IKEA Oxford Street’s location complements our network of stores in London – and beyond – and allows us to be closer to where our customers live, work and shop, while importantly being easily accessible by foot or public transport. We look forward to welcoming you in.”

Leader of Westminster City Council, Councillor Adam Hug, added: "IKEA joining Oxford Street is an exciting addition to one of London's most iconic shopping destinations. Oxford Street continues to evolve, with more shops opening and new brands choosing to invest here, and IKEA will be a huge draw for visitors to the West End."

When is IKEA Oxford Street opening?

IKEA Oxford Street will open on May 1st, 2025. It will be open daily from 10am until 8pm.

Other IKEA warehouses include Croydon, Greenwich, Lakeside, Hammersmith and Wembley. Its Wembley location is its biggest store at 40,000 square meters, seven times the size of the one on Oxford Street.