Ikea Canada Opens Downtown Toronto Store

May 23, 2022  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

Aura is the first store of its kind in Canada, offering the inspiring Ikea experience that customers are used to, along with new, convenient ways to shop and a unique food experience, all in a small store format.

Located at the transit-friendly corner of Yonge and Gerrard Streets, the store brings its unique take on life at home to the first two floors of the Aura Shopping Centre (382 Yonge Street) which was acquired and redeveloped by Ingka Centres (the shopping centres business of Ingka Group).

"Opening our first store in the heart of Toronto's vibrant downtown core is an important milestone in our retail transformation to bring Ikea closer to where customers live, work, shop and socialize," said Michael Ward, Canada CEO and chief sustainability officer. "Ikea Toronto Downtown - Aura combines our home furnishing inspiration and expertise with omnichannel retail solutions in a small store format to uniquely meet the needs of downtown residents. We're excited to welcome the local community to experience this new Ikea when we open on May 25."

The 66,000 sq. ft. shopping destination will include more than 2,000 products for immediate takeaway, while larger furniture items will be on display and available for home delivery. Ikea Toronto Downtown - Aura will be a cashless store that offers an easy and seamless shopping experience where customers can scan and pay for products using the Ikea app, along with digital tools throughout and multiple checkout lanes available on both levels. The store will offer a complete range of convenient services such as assembly, planning and returns, home delivery and customers will be able to collect their online orders for a flat-rate fee at a pick-up point located in the lower level of the Aura Shopping Centre.

Ikea Toronto Downtown - Aura also features a new food concept called the Swedish Deli, offering modern, healthy meals and specialty beverages to eat in, along with on-the-go food options and sustainably sourced essentials to cook at home. Customers will be able to enjoy classic Swedish meatballs as well as delicious new recipes that are designed to satisfy the tastes of a diverse Toronto community.

"People are at the heart of our business and we're excited to welcome 150 co-workers to IKEA Toronto Downtown - Aura where they will have endless opportunities for professional growth and development," said Patrice Dreano, market manager, Ikea Toronto. "Together, we look forward to helping create a better everyday life at home for Torontonians and providing long-term positive impacts to the local community."