Ikea will have a presence in select Best Buy stores beginning this fall, when the electronics retailer will debut Ikea shops in its stores offering functional and affordable home furnishings, the companies announced.
The Best Buy initiative marks the first time Ikea products and services will be accessible through another U.S. retailer. As they characterized it, the initiative establishes a new way for both retailers to meet customer needs in a rapidly changing market environment.
Under the program, ten Best Buy stores in Florida and Texas will operate 1,000-square-foot Ikea shops (rendering pictured above) that will particularly showcase kitchen and laundry room settings. The intent behind the Ikea in Best Buy shops is to inspire shoppers and help consumers create a cohesive, beautiful living space with the best high-tech appliances, according to the companies. In addition, shoppers can receive support from Ikea co-workers to plan and order home furnishing solutions, even as Best Buy’s blue shirts provide advice on electronics.
Best Buy locations that will feature the initial Ikea shops are:
- Boynton Beach, FL
- Daytona Beach, FL
- Lakeland, FL
- Melbourne, FL
- Waterford Lakes, FL
- Alamo Ranch, TX
- Hulen, TX
- Humble, TX
- Mesquite, TX
- South Austin, TX
To take things a bit further, the Lakeland and Alamo Ranch Best Buy stores will serve as pick-up points for Ikea shoppers, allowing them to claim their furnishings purchases for free, whether ordered through Ikea in Best Buy or Ikea.com.
“When you’re shopping for new electronics, whether it’s a laptop or a TV or a washing machine, it’s important to understand the technology and make a decision based on how it will help you, your family and your home in your everyday life,” said Patrick McGinnis, Best Buy chief merchandising officer, in announcing the Ikea initiative. “With this partnership, we get to combine technology and design and show shoppers what’s truly possible in their home like never before.”
Rob Olson, chief operations officer, Ikea U.S., noted, “This partnership between Ikea and Best Buy is about making great design and functionality more accessible for the many. By bringing together our home furnishing expertise, products and services with Best Buy’s leadership in appliances and technology, we’re creating a one-stop destination where customers can design their dream kitchen, storage solutions or laundry space with ease. It’s a great step on our journey to helping people create beautiful, functional homes at a price they can afford.”
