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Ikea

Reading both sides of the story (at least as far as what's been published), I'm inclined to side towards IKEA's side on this one. The woman's story just doesn't seem believable. It's too simplistic and it raises more questions than answers.
 
IKEA attracts lots of people, period, so they get their share of nuts.

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Wonder where in downtown they may be looking at. Probably ruling out Aura, unless BB&B closes up shop in the near future and that becomes available. But I don't believe things will line up that way, as IKEA should be looking around now to secure somewhere already available.

Maybe at the base of one of the condos currently under construction and fairly close to completion like Wellesley on the Park. Not sure if the retail spaces in the Stanley are sufficiently large enough, etc. Can't think of anywhere OTTOMH in the Entertainment District either. Maybe somewhere in South Core? Or another possibly but more unlikely, they could look at investing in a new building like MEC.
 
AlbertC said:
Wonder where in downtown they may be looking at. Probably ruling out Aura, unless BB&B closes up shop in the near future and that becomes available. But I don't believe things will line up that way, as IKEA should be looking around now to secure somewhere already available.

Maybe at the base of one of the condos currently under construction and fairly close to completion like Wellesley on the Park. Not sure if the retail spaces in the Stanley are sufficiently large enough, etc. Can't think of anywhere OTTOMH in the Entertainment District either. Maybe somewhere in South Core? Or another possibly but more unlikely, they could look at investing in a new building like MEC.
Click to expand...

Maybe The Well?

AoD
 
Aura's problematic basement would be an excellent choice.

It would solve the problem of a 2/3 empty space that is non-performing for the folks who made the mistake to invest in it.

Ikea would be the 'owner' based on the structure of the arrangements there now giving them enhanced freedom, the space is essentially ready to go, and IKEA has never been fond of windows, and wouldn't have any.

Perfect!

After that.....They could fit a full-sized one on Bloor Street where a particularly ugly department store exists now, LOL......... but I don't imagine the cost of that space would work for them.

In terms of floor plate......maybe something on the Mirvish/Westbank site? That's relatively close to U of T which would seem a good target market.

Maybe YSL?
 
While not particularly in-keeping with the higher-end of Bloor Street, you could easily fit even a smaller IKEA into the Hudson's Bay Centre (if The Bay were to vacate). Still, The Well seems pretty likely.
 
Possible concepts for an IKEA urban format store:

The Ikea small-format stores include three concepts that range in size from slightly more than 5,000 square feet to more than 50,000 square feet. A store in Manhattan, which spans about 5,400 square feet, focuses primarily on services. A store in central Madrid, featuring showrooms for living rooms and bedrooms, is an example of a store concept which typically spans 25,000 to 30,000 square feet. Another concept dubbed ‘extra small’ spans about 55,000 square feet and showcases a broader range of categories — a store in Paris spanning 54,000 square feet offers a selection of 1,500 decorative accessories and small pieces of furniture that can be purchased immediately, while larger items are available for home delivery. The highly experiential retail space features a restaurant and offers themed workshops.

Ikea also announced in April of this year that it would introduce its ‘Home Planning Studio’ concept in Australia. In the pilot concept stores, consumers sit down for one-on-one consultations with an Ikea employee to plan and build rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Orders can be placed for home delivery or for pick-up at the store. Technology such as tablets are used. Between five and eight of these store concepts are expected to open in the metro Sydney region alone, with other markets including Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth also in line for multiple locations. Each of these will be between 1,100 square feet and 1,600 square feet.

The retailer has also been testing other smaller city-centre formats, such as a kitchen showroom in Stockholm, as well as a bedroom showroom and accessory space in Madrid. Ikea is also rolling-out order and pick-up points in major markets.
Click to expand...

 
Absolutely ridiculous that this announcement has taken this long (they've moved waaaaay too slowly only this), but…

Retailer announces plans to expand and introduce new concepts in Toronto's city centre ​
​
BURLINGTON, ON, Nov. 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Today, IKEA Canada announced sales of $2.53 billion for the financial year ending August 31, 2019, an increase of 6.1 per cent on the previous year. Detailed in the company's 2019 Summary Report, the home furnishings retailer also reported strong digital engagement with 117.2 million visits to IKEA.ca, representing a 12 per cent lift and contributing to $261.2 million in ecommerce sales. In a rapidly-changing retail landscape IKEA grew in-store visitation to 31 million customers, an increase of 2.7 per cent. Amid a year of solid growth, the company continued to accelerate its business transformation and invest in long-term growth. To become more accessible to customers living in urban areas, IKEA Canada announced today, a new city centre market approach in Toronto.​
​
"We continue to see positive growth in the Canadian market, all while innovating and developing our business for the future. We want IKEA to be there for our customers, whenever and however they choose to meet us," said Michael Ward, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Canada. "Our success in 2019 is a result of the hard work of our many co-workers across the country. As we transform, we continue to lead the business from our purpose, to create a better everyday life for the many people."​
​
Globally, over the past year IKEA has opened city centre locations in major cities like New York, Paris, Moscow and London. Toronto is the first market in Canada to introduce this new city centre approach, which includes becoming more accessible through new IKEA meeting places in the core, creating new experiences in existing stores, developing a more affordable and convenient service offer and enhancing digital solutions. With final concepts and locations still to be determined, the city growth plan will be inspired by how Torontonians live at home and developed based on decades of experience in the market.​
​
"As one of the fastest growing and most diverse cities in North America, Toronto is a natural first choice for us to target growth in the city," said Ward. "With a growing demand for convenience, there is a strong market potential for solutions that are more accessible and personalized. This new city approach will complement our existing stores in the market, enabling customers to shop seamlessly across all touchpoints, based on their individual needs and preferences."​
​
In Fiscal Year 2019, IKEA Canada took significant steps on its transformation journey to be more affordable, accessible and people and planet positive. The retailer grew its fulfilment network with new customer distribution centres in Richmond, BC and Kleinburg, ON and introduced more affordable services including $5 Click & Collect, TaskRabbit in-home assembly and lower price delivery. IKEA also created new in-store experiences including large-scale events like the IKEA PJ Party, inspirational workshops and new planning services.​
​
With sustainability integrated throughout retail operations, IKEA Canada took key steps toward its commitments to be a circular and climate positive business by 2030. The retailer launched a new Sell-Back program, where gently-used products see a second-life in exchange for store credit. In May 2019, the company phased out plastic straws in Canada, months ahead of its global commitment to eliminate all single-use plastics by 2020. With the introduction of more sustainable food items like the plant-based veggie hot dog, IKEA Food saw a sales lift of 10 per cent to $113 million.​
​
In 2019, IKEA grew to 7,300 dedicated co-workers nationwide. With the goal to be one of Canada's top employers, IKEA introduced a new benefits program with a focus on wellness and an enhanced retirement program to better take care of its co-workers. IKEA believes embracing diversity, equality and inclusion is more than just the right thing to do, it is essential for long-term, sustainable growth. In 2019, the retailer reaffirmed its commitment to hire 250 refugees and rolled out its Refugee Employment Program to all units from coast to coast. IKEA co-workers proudly marched in Pride celebrations nationwide and the company contributed nearly $50,000 to LGBT+ organizations. Additionally to support a child's right to play, IKEA partnered with Women's Shelters Canada to create needed play areas in shelters across the country.​
​
Looking forward, IKEA will continue to explore new shopping formats, digital solutions and ways to experience with IKEA, all with the goal to be the leading multichannel home furnishings retailer. For more information, visit the IKEA Canada 2019 Summary Report.​
​
 
They could take over Charles Promenade at Yonge & Charles. The place is half empty now and Dollarama is rumored to be leaving next year. And they could extend the retail area right out to Yonge by filling in the little square where Second Cup used to be.
 
299 bloor call control. said:
I always felt the space that Target was supposed to occupy at One York would have been perfect for IKEA.
Click to expand...
Agreed, but IKEA were asleep at the switch.

The base of Panda on Edward—retail concourse, ground level, mezzanine, and second floor—will have over 8,600 sq m of retail space to lease out, so they'll be begging for IKEA to set up shop there. (That's over 92,000 sq ft of retail space.)

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