UAE’s biggest IKEA to open in Festival Plaza

Retail conglomerate Al-Futtaim is all set to open the biggest IKEA store in the UAE – spread across 32,500 sqm (approximately 349,830 sqft) – at its upcoming shopping destination, Festival Plaza in Jebel Ali. The opening date is tentatively set for mid-December 2019.

This is IKEA’s second store in Dubai and fourth in the UAE after Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Festival City Mall in Dubai and Customer Ordering and Collection point at Bawadi Mall in Al Ain.

Here’s a sneak peek from the exclusive media tour of IKEA at Festival Plaza.

The top three features of the soon-to-open store include:

• It will be IKEA’s most digitally integrated store in the UAE with 16 ‘shoppable’ wall projectors; self-checkout facility from any part of the store using IKEA’s shoppable app without having to queue up at the cash tills; as well as digital kiosks to order food.
• It will house the IKEA Bakery, a first in the UAE, where fresh food products will be available. This is in addition to the popular IKEA Restaurant.
• Sustainability is a key feature, with solar panels accounting for almost 20% energy consumed by the store, along with energy-efficient air-conditioning system and motion sensor lighting in the office areas. The energy saved will be able to power at least 400 homes annually.

IKEA, restaurant area (under construction)

Another highlight feature of the upcoming IKEA experience centre is the 70-metre navigation tower, which is tallest for the brand globally.

The store will be spread across two levels, with convenient entrances.

IKEA spread across two levels (under construction)

The cash tills sport a new look.

IKEA, cash till

The self-service area is quite massive.

While parents are shopping, kids can stay entertained in a big play area.

IKEA, play area

Commenting on future expansion plans, Vinod Jayan, managing director for IKEA UAE, Oman & Egypt said, “After opening the second IKEA store in Dubai next month, we will look at foraying into Sharjah as well as evaluate the need for a second store in Abu Dhabi. The second IKEA store will open in Egypt towards end of 2020. We will launch the first IKEA store in Oman towards first quarter of 2021, while online shopping is already available to our Omani customers – like in the UAE.”