This fall, visitors to Best Buy stores in select markets will be able to get full-service inspiration and planning support for their kitchens and laundry rooms via new Ikea shop-in-shops.
The “Ikea in Best Buy” pairing will allow customers to shop for major appliances alongside complementary home furnishings and marks the first time that Ikea products and services will be accessible through another U.S. retailer. The partnership is particularly interesting given that Ikea also recently launched a range of brand-agnostic smart home devices, although whether those products will be included in the assortment presented at Best Buy was not specified.
“This partnership between Ikea and Best Buy is about making great design and functionality more accessible for the many,” said Rob Olson, COO at IKEA U.S. in a statement. “By bringing together our home furnishing expertise, products and services with Best Buy’s leadership in appliances and technology, we’re creating a one-stop destination where customers can design their dream kitchen, storage solutions or laundry space with ease. It’s a great step on our journey to helping people create beautiful, functional homes at a price they can afford.”
The pilot of the in-store collaboration between the two retailers will launch in 10 Best Buy stores across Florida and Texas, featuring a 1,000-square-foot IKEA footprint that will showcase inspirational kitchen and laundry room settings designed to help customers create a cohesive, beautiful living space with the best high-tech appliances. Customers will receive support from Ikea co-workers to plan and order home furnishing solutions, and Best Buy’s “blue shirts” will, of course, be available to provide advice on electronics.
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Two Best Buy Pilot Stores also will Offer Ikea Pick-up
Two of the stores where the shop-in-shops will be piloted also will serve as a pick-up pointS for IKEA shoppers, allowing customers in those markets to pick up most Ikea U.S. products for free at Best Buy, whether the items were purchased through an Ikea in Best Buy design experience or on Ikea.com.
The full list of pilot locations includes:
- Boynton Beach, Fla.;
- Daytona Beach, Fla.;
- Lakeland, Fla. (also piloting Ikea pick-up);
- Melbourne, Fla.;
- Waterford Lakes, Fla.;
- Alamo Ranch, TX (also piloting Ikea pick-up);
- Hulen, Texas;
- Humble, Texas;
- Mesquite, Texas; and
- South Austin, Texas.
“When you’re shopping for new electronics, whether it’s a laptop or a TV or a washing machine, it’s important to understand the technology and make a decision based on how it will help you, your family and your home in your everyday life,” said Patrick McGinnis, Chief Merchandising Officer at Best Buy in a statement. “With this partnership, we get to combine technology and design and show shoppers what’s truly possible in their home like never before.”
