IKEA stores in Scotland set to open from Monday – but Swedish meatballs will have to be cooked at home

Homewares and home-furnishing retailer IKEA has announced that it will reopen its Edinburgh and Glasgow stores and its Order and Collection Point in Aberdeen from Monday.

Ikea stores will open ahead of 29 June (Pic: Google Maps)

In March, prior to the Government lockdown, IKEA voluntarily closed its stores in Scotland to ‘ensure customer and co-worker safety’. Following updated regulations and guidance from the Scottish Government, IKEA is now permitted to trade sooner than some other retailers who have permission to open from June 29.

IKEA said it has implemented a ‘series of enhanced safety measures’, to protect co-workers and those customers wanting to shop in-store.

These measures include: limited numbers of customers being granted entry in store at any one time, staggered entry system and restricted car parking will be in place and, in line with guidance, a maximum of one adult and one child per household will be permitted in-store at any one point.

Social distance wardens will also be placed throughout stores to help customers find their way round a new one-way system and ensure two-metre social distancing measures are being followed.

Customers are urged to come prepared with ready-made lists and their own bags, and those wishing just to return items are encouraged to do so at a later date.

Additional hand sanitiser facilities and more frequent deep cleaning routines for bags, trolleys, bathrooms, rest areas, equipment and touchscreens. Screens will be in place at key areas such as checkouts, service points and customer returns, to enable social distancing.

Planning services will only be available online and the store will accept cashless payments only, by card and contactless.

All play areas will remain closed, as will the customer restaurant however the Swedish Food Market will be open, with the Bistro offering a takeaway service.

A click and collect service with contact-free collections will also be available.

Initially, all play areas and restaurants will remain closed. Customers will not be able to eat in store, but they will be able to purchase much-loved items including meatballs from the Swedish Food Market, so they can be made at home.

Peter Jelkeby, UK & Ireland Country CEO and CSO, said: “As we look to warmly welcome customers and co-workers back into our stores in Scotland, theirhealth and safety remain our top priority, and that’s why we’ve put in place extensive measures to ensure their safety and comfort. This range of comprehensive measures has been implemented in accordance with government guidelines, as well as building on learnings from other IKEA countries that have reopened ahead of us.

“While the experience might be a little different to before – it’s the same IKEA, with the vision to “create a better everyday life for the many people”, and the ambition to inspire people through our brilliant affordable range and home furnishing advice.

“Throughout lockdown, we’ve had the unique privilege of being a part of people’s everyday lives at home, and we’re committed to continuing doing whatever we can to support our customers and co-workers on this next part of the journey we take together.”

In its first phase of reopening, IKEA reopened the majority of its stores in England and Northern Ireland, followed by its stores in the Republic of Ireland.