IT'S the date furniture fans have been eagerly awaiting... the reopening date for Ikea in Scotland.
The famous homewares brand has announced it will open its Edinburgh and Glasgow stores and its Order and Collection Point in Aberdeen from Monday.
And bosses said there are new safety measures in place for customers to shop in confidence.
Peter Jelkeby, UK&IE Country CEO and CSO, said: “As we look to warmly welcome customers and co-workers back into our stores in Scotland, their health and safety remain our top priority, and that’s why we’ve put in place extensive measures to ensure their safety and comfort.
"This range of comprehensive measures has been implemented in accordance with government guidelines, as well as building on learnings from other IKEA countries that have reopened ahead of us.
“While the experience might be a little different to before – it’s the same IKEA, with the vision to “create a better everyday life for the many people”, and the ambition to inspire people through our brilliant affordable range and home furnishing advice.
“Throughout lockdown, we’ve had the unique privilege of being a part of people’s everyday lives at home, and we’re committed to continuing doing whatever we can to support our customers and co-workers on this next part of the journey we take together.”
In March, prior to the Government lockdown, IKEA voluntarily closed its stores in Scotland to ensure customer and co-worker safety.
Following updated regulations and guidance from the Scottish Government, IKEA is now permitted to trade sooner than some other retailers who may open from June 29.
New measures include:
- Limited numbers of customers granted entry in store at any one time. A staggered entry system and restricted car parking will be in place and, in line with guidance, a maximum of one adult and one child per household will be permitted in-store at any one point.
- Social Distance Wardens placed throughout the store to help customers find their way round the new one-way system and ensure two metre social distancing measures are being followed
- Customers are urged to come prepared with ready-made lists and their own bags, and those wishing purely to return items, are encouraged to do so at a later date. IKEA has a 365 day returns policy
- Additional hand sanitiser facilities and more frequent deep cleaning routines for bags, trolleys, bathrooms, rest areas, equipment and touchscreens
- Screens at key areas such as checkouts, service points and customer returns, to enable social distancing
- Planning services will only be available online
- Cashless payments only, by card and contactless
- All play areas will remain closed, as will the customer restaurant
- Swedish Food Market will be open, with the Bistro offering a takeaway service
- Click and collect service with contact-free collections also available
Initially, all play areas and restaurants will remain closed.
While customers won’t be able to eat in store, they will be able to purchase much-loved items including meatballs from the Swedish Food Market, so they can be made at home.
Meanwhile the Bistro, which operates a contact-free takeaway service, will be open with enhanced safety measures in place, including: two-metre distancing, screens, cashless payments only, and deeper and more frequent cleaning routines.
IKEA is also encouraging customers who purely wish to return items, not to come to stores in the first instance.
IKEA has a 365 day returns policy and urges customers, where possible, to return items at a later date, when they will find it easier to do so.
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