Online Deliveries Begin March 1, Mega Stores to Follow
New Delhi: Swedish home furnishings giant IKEA is set to deepen its presence in North India with the launch of online delivery services across Delhi-NCR and nine other cities starting March 1. The company, which entered the Indian market nearly seven years ago, is now shifting focus to the northern region as part of its second phase of expansion.
IKEA’s online store will offer its entire catalog of over 7,000 products, along with remote planning, interior design consultation, and seamless assembly and installation services. Cities included in this rollout are Agra, Prayagraj, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ludhiana, and Varanasi.
“North India has been a missing piece in our India story. This launch will lay the foundation for our omnichannel growth in the region,” said Susanne Pulverer, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA India. The company’s e-commerce-first approach aims to provide quicker access to customers while gathering insights into local preferences before establishing physical stores.
3Brick-and-Mortar Expansion Plans
Following its digital expansion, IKEA is set to open two large-format stores in Gurugram and Noida, with the Gurugram outlet expected to launch in 2026 and the Noida store shortly thereafter. A newly established 180,000 sq. ft. Central Distribution Centre (CDC) in Gurugram will support these operations, ensuring efficient supply chain management and faster deliveries.
Despite a delayed entry into the national capital due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IKEA has already built a strong customer base in Delhi-NCR, with nearly 100,000 individuals signing up for its community program even before its formal market launch. The brand has also introduced temporary pop-up stores at Select CityWalk, Mall of India, and Cyber Hub for a limited period to familiarize customers with its offerings.
2Sustainability and Local Sourcing Initiatives
As part of its sustainability commitments, IKEA aims to transition to 100% electric vehicle (EV) deliveries by 2030, beginning with all North India deliveries being powered by EVs. Additionally, the company is focused on increasing local sourcing, currently at 30%, to enhance affordability and drive long-term profitability. “We see local sourcing as an opportunity to scale volumes and offer competitive pricing. Furthermore, we are exploring ways to boost exports from India,” Pulverer noted.
1Future Outlook
IKEA currently operates in five Indian markets, with large-format stores in Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, and Bengaluru, alongside a city store in Worli. The company is now eyeing further expansion in Chennai and Pune, in line with its original plan to establish six flagship locations across India.
The investment push extends beyond IKEA’s retail operations. Ingka Centres, the group’s mall division, plans to invest ₹5,500 crore to develop a Lykli shopping center in Noida, which is expected to generate over 9,000 jobs.
With a growing foothold in India and strategic omnichannel expansion, IKEA remains optimistic about achieving profitability in the coming years. “India is one of our most significant growth markets, and we are committed to long-term investment and expansion here,” Pulverer concluded.
