Forget the traditional sprawling experience across tens of thousands of square meters: the future Ikea in Villefranche-sur-Saône will embrace the "Ikea compact" concept. Announced by the retailer this spring, this new format plans around ten stores across France, set up on a single level with a smaller footprint than classic Ikeas.
So Villefranche-sur-Saône is part of this new generation of stores imagined by the Swedish giant. An opening that puts an end to years of rumors about Ikea's arrival in northern Rhône, as the retailer had only had one store in the department until now.
First recruits coming soon
Even though the Villefranche Ikea store's opening date hasn't been revealed yet, the project is already entering a very concrete phase with the launch of recruitment. A job da
ing is notably announced on Tuesday, October 20th to form part of the teams that will operate the future store.Ikea is notably seeking team leaders, sales employees and restaurant staff. A first step that confirms the project is moving forward, even if residents will still have to wait before they can push the famous blue and yellow bag around in their new neighborhood store.
A proximity strategy for Ikea
This opening is part of a broader transformation of Ikea's strategy in France, with a desire to multiply smaller-sized stores. The first "Ikea compact" opened in Limoges on May 27th, before a second one was inaugurated in Le Mans in early July. The Swedish giant is thus seeking to bring its stores closer to customers and adapt to a furniture market that has become particularly competitive.
Ikea announced in early September a price cut on 450 products, in a context of declining sales in recent years and increased competition from online retail. For residents in the north of Lyon, this opening will above all change things when it comes to accessing the brand. Until now, the only Ikea in the Rhône region is located in Vénissieux, at Grand Parilly, in a huge 40,000 m² building that opened in late 2019.
Source : Le Progrès