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AUSTIN (KXAN) — Global home furnishing retailer IKEA has officially opened the doors of its new location at the Domain.
In January, IKEA unveiled its plans to open up its second store within the Austin area; however, this store differs from the original retail stores due to its new "Plan & Order" format.
The new format gives customers the unique experience of sitting down with an IKEA expert to design, plan and quote products. While products cannot be purchased within the store at 3306 Esperanza Crossing, employees can place orders for customers, which can be delivered or picked up from local on-site locations.
The brand-new IKEA Austin at the Domain plan & order point with Pick-up will allow customers to receive extra support to design their dream homes with the help of an IKEA expert.
IKEA U.S. Market Manager, Armando Cueva
The new location is part of IKEA's strategy to find a more sustainable way to go about furniture shopping, according to a release. By having a strict "order by purchase" concept, the typical retail store problems of overstocking and constant shipping of products will be completely eliminated, it said.
IKEA officials claim this store is only the start of its expansion into Texas, specifically the Austin area. IKEA U.S. CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer Javier Quiñones said it was the "first of many" to open this year and the company is "thrilled to be expanding this concept to reach consumers across the state of Texas.”
The "Plan & Order" store in Austin, is one of four new stores throughout the U.S., including two locations in the Los Angeles area, and one in Atlanta. These stores will be four of nine "Plan & Order" specific locations throughout the country by the end of 2024, according to IKEA.
The new store at the Domain will be the second IKEA store in the Austin area, joining the Round Rock location that has been open since 2006. Shoppers should note the new location will not accept returns.
The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
