IKEA Enters New Zealand Market with Flagship Auckland Store and Full Digital Rollout

IKEA Enters New Zealand Market with Flagship Auckland Store and Full Digital Rollout

(IN BRIEF) IKEA has opened its first New Zealand store in Sylvia Park, Auckland, while also launching nationwide online shopping, delivery and planning services through IKEA.com and the IKEA app. The three-storey, 34,000 m² location welcomed thousands of shoppers on opening day and is supported by 29 pick-up points across the country — a first for an IKEA market debut. With more than 7,500 products, a Swedish restaurant with local menu additions, renewable energy systems and EV charging facilities, the store reflects long-term investment and sustainability ambitions in Aotearoa. The launch marks IKEA’s first new market since 2021 and forms part of a EUR 5 billion expansion plan running to FY27.

(PRESS RELEASE) LEIDEN, 4-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — IKEA has officially opened its first New Zealand store in Auckland’s Sylvia Park, marking a historic milestone more than two years since construction began and bringing the Swedish home furnishings retailer to its most geographically distant market from Sweden. The launch also coincides with the nationwide roll-out of IKEA.com and the IKEA app, giving customers across New Zealand online shopping access, delivery options, and planning services from day one.

The opening attracted large crowds eager to step inside the new three-level, 34,000 m² store, where more than 7,500 products, styled room displays, and a full suite of home services are available. Over 500 co-workers welcomed guests for the long-awaited debut, which also introduces an omnichannel model tailored for local shoppers.

Tolga Öncü, Ingka Group Retail Manager (COO), said the moment represents both commitment and long-term partnership with New Zealand:
“We’re delighted to finally bring IKEA to Aotearoa. Opening here is about more than retail – we’re building community ties, creating jobs, and adapting to Kiwi homes and lifestyles. This is an investment in the future and a friendship we intend to grow for many years.”

Alongside the flagship store, 29 pick-up points have opened nationwide — the first time IKEA has launched a new market with such an extensive collection network already in place. Customers can shop in-store or online and collect locally at lower cost, with the combined network designed to align with New Zealanders’ shopping habits. A Buy Back service, accepting even non-IKEA items, is available immediately to support circular consumption and reduce waste.

Mirja Viinanen, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer for IKEA Australia and New Zealand, acknowledged the anticipation leading up to launch:
“We’re thrilled to open both physically and digitally. New Zealand has welcomed us warmly since 2019 when our plans were first announced. We’ve listened carefully — visiting more than 500 homes to understand Kiwi life — and those insights shaped how we present IKEA here.”

Research findings from those visits have been released in the first IKEA Life at Home Report for New Zealand, and the retailer hosted immersive housewarming-style pre-launch events across Auckland, inspired by iconic local culture — from backyard BBQs to coastal mornings.

This expansion makes New Zealand the first new market for IKEA’s largest retailer since Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2021, and forms part of a global strategy to broaden access to affordable home furnishings. Over EUR 5 billion is earmarked for new and upgraded locations globally by FY27, reflecting ongoing investment into growth and accessibility.

Key Features of the Auckland IKEA Store

• ~34,000 m² — larger than most IKEA stores worldwide 
• Bigger than 8 out of 10 Australian IKEA big-box stores 
• Three-floor layout including ground-level parking 
• Swedish Restaurant & Bistro offering classics plus NZ-exclusive dishes 
• Runs entirely on renewable energy 
• Rooftop solar PV supplying ~50% of store power 
• 3,000+ programmable LED lights for energy efficiency 
• 25 EV chargers for customers + on-site chargers for delivery vehicles

SOURCE: Ingka Holding B.V