IKEA is set to open its first pop-up store in Northern Ireland at The Boulevard, Banbridge, on Thursday 13 November. The move is part of the brand’s wider strategy to improve accessibility for customers across the region by positioning itself closer to where people live, work, and shop.
Located within The Boulevard, a key outlet shopping destination in Northern Ireland, the new 250 sqm store will offer a snapshot of IKEA’s product range. The pop-up will feature 150 home furnishing accessories across kitchen, bedroom and living room categories, all available for immediate takeaway. The store is designed to provide customers with quick access to essential items while maintaining IKEA’s focus on affordability and functionality.
Beyond retail, the pop-up will include a free kitchen and wardrobe planning service. Customers can meet with IKEA’s expert planning specialists to develop tailored solutions for their living spaces. From designing a customised kitchen to optimising bedroom storage with the PAX wardrobe system, the service is intended to support a wide range of home improvement projects.
The store will also feature a fully branded Collect Near You point at The Boulevard retail park, enabling customers to collect online purchases locally. This addition enhances convenience by expanding the ways customers can access IKEA’s full product range. The Banbridge point joins existing Collect Near You locations in Ballymena, Antrim, Limavady and Dungannon, helping to streamline the collection process across Northern Ireland.
Michaela Quinlan, Market Manager at IKEA Belfast, said: “We are excited to welcome customers to our first pop-up in Northern Ireland. This is not only an opportunity to meet new customers where they are but also a chance to make IKEA even more accessible. Whether you’re planning a dream kitchen or picking up everyday essentials, we’re here to help customers across Northern Ireland create the spaces they love.
“The addition of our Collect Near You point at The Boulevard is also an exciting step toward making it even easier for customers to shop with us, allowing them to order from our entire range online and conveniently collect their purchases nearby.”
The Boulevard site was selected due to its location and consistent footfall. Positioned along the main A1 corridor between Belfast and Dublin, the retail park attracts both local shoppers and those travelling between cities. The arrival of IKEA is expected to appeal to a wide audience, including regional visitors seeking greater access to the brand without the need to travel to a full-sized store.
Paul McCann, Asset Manager at Lotus Property, owners of The Boulevard, commented: “It’s fantastic to welcome IKEA to The Boulevard as part of their first pop-up initiative in Northern Ireland. The addition of a global brand like IKEA not only enhances the retail experience for our visitors but also reinforces The Boulevard as a dynamic destination for shopping. We’re confident this arrival will be hugely popular with our loyal customers and visitors from across the region, especially the busy Belfast-to-Dublin corridor.”
