JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced that steel framing has progressed far enough that installation of the iconic blue composite panels has begun on its future Jacksonville store, Florida’s fifth IKEA location. Installing the blue panels is a construction milestone that keeps the store on track to open Fall 2017, and reflects the unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide.
The 290,000-square-foot proposed IKEA store and its 950 parking spaces will be built on 25 acres along the northwestern corner of Interstate 295 and Gate Parkway, approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Jacksonville. Until the future IKEA Jacksonville opens in Fall 2017, customers can shop at IKEA Orlando and IKEA Tampa or online at IKEA-USA.com. Two other IKEA stores are located in the South Florida cities of Sunrise and Sweetwater.
“With IKEA Jacksonville taking shape and blue paneling going up, we continue to be on track for a grand opening this Fall,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA U.S. president. “We hope to be enclosed in Summer, and cannot wait for the building’s interior to look like an IKEA store as well. We know there are many customers in the area who are excited for us to open, including those driving long distances to shop at our other stores, as well those who have yet to experience the unique IKEA shopping concept.”
IKEA Jacksonville will feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 325-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. IKEA also is evaluating potential on-site power generation to complement its current U.S. goal of a renewable energy presence at nearly 90% of its U.S. locations.
IKEA Jacksonville will provide annual sales and property tax revenue for local governments and schools. And – in addition to 500 jobs expected during construction – 250 coworkers will join the IKEA family when the store opens. Opportunities will be available this spring and summer for candidates interested in working at this employer of choice in home furnishings sales, interior decoration, customer service, safety and security, cashiers, maintenance, goods flow, receiving, warehouse and stock replenishment. Also, IKEA Jacksonville will offer nearly 50 food service opportunities in its Restaurant, Swedish Food Market, Exit Bistro and coworker cafeteria.
Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There currently are more than 390 IKEA stores in 48 countries, including 43 in the U.S. IKEA has been included in rankings of “Best Companies to Work For” and, as further investment in its coworkers, has raised its minimum wage twice in two years. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, see IKEA-USA.com, @IKEAUSA, @IKEAUSANews, or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.
