IKEA Opens First Massachusetts Store, in Stoughton, on November 9

Furniture World Magazine

IKEA, a home furnishings retailer, having celebrated its 20th birthday in the U.S. last month, will open its first Massachusetts store, in Stoughton, on Wednesday, November 9. IKEA Stoughton is the 26th store in the U.S., the 227th in the world and the company's second store in New England (IKEA New Haven, Connecticut is located at the intersection of I-95 and I-91). The 346,000 square-foot IKEA Stoughton features nearly 10,000 exclusively-designed home furnishings and accessories under one roof and employs approximately 500 co-workers. As a symbol of "new beginnings," Pernille Lopez, president of IKEA North America, will join IKEA Stoughton store manager Frank Briel in a traditional Swedish log-sawing ceremony that will take place just before IKEA Stoughton officially opens at 9:00 a.m. on November 9. Chairman of the Stoughton Board of Selectmen John J. Kowalczyk, State Senator Brian Joyce and Swedish Vice Consul General Ginga Sewerin-Olsson will also participate in the morning ceremony. In celebration of the grand opening, IKEA Stoughton is hosting a "Fun Factor" campaign giving four lucky Boston-area residents the chance to experience IKEA before everyone else. The four Fun Factor players will live inside the new store from November 6 through grand opening day, November 9, competing in a series of challenges to earn IKEA gift cards. The player who finishes in first place will win a $3,000 IKEA Gift Card; the player in second place will win a $2,000 IKEA Gift Card; and the third and fourth place winners will each receive a $1,000 IKEA Gift Card. The players' efforts will also benefit a worthy cause - IKEA Stoughton will match the "Fun Factor" players' prizes (a total of $7,000) with a donation to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Brockton. Players will also participate in a bonus challenge to raise an additional $3,000 to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Brockton, bringing the total donation to the non-profit organization to $10,000. IKEA Stoughton partnered with WBMX-FM (MIX 98.5, Infinity Broadcasting) on the "Fun Factor" Challenge to help find the four players. "We are excited to bring the fun and unique IKEA family-friendly shopping experience to Massachusetts," said Frank Briel, IKEA Stoughton store manager. "It seemed only fitting that our 'Fun Factor' grand opening challenge bring to life the enthusiasm and enjoyment our customers will soon be able to experience once IKEA Stoughton is open." Grand Opening Celebration Fun at IKEA Stoughton -First-Five Perks - The first five people in line at IKEA Stoughton when the new store opens at 9:00 a.m. on November 9 will receive IKEA Gift Cards: $5,000 (first); $2,000 (second); $1,500 (third); $1,000 (fourth); and $500 (fifth). -Take a Seat (And We Mean Take It!) - The first 100 adults (18 and over) in line at IKEA Stoughton when the new store opens at 9:00 a.m. on November 9 will receive a free POANG armchair. -For the (Truly) Young at Heart - The first 100 children (under 18) in line at IKEA Stoughton when the new store opens at 9:00 a.m. on November 9 will receive a free soft toy. -A Chance for a Makeover - All visitors (18 and over) to IKEA Stoughton from November 9 through November 13 can enter a drawing for the chance to win $10,000 in IKEA Gift Cards to make over their home. -You Say It's Your Birthday - Bring proof to IKEA Stoughton on November 9 that it is your birthday on November 9, and receive a coupon for a free meal at the IKEA restaurant. IKEA STOUGHTON AT-A-GLANCE -Low prices for well-designed furnishings through the IKEA concept that relies on a partnership with customers to choose, transport and assemble their purchases. -More than 50 inspirational room-setting displays. -Three complete model homes that represent a variety of living situations with creative design ideas that can be brought to life in any room in the home. -Nearly 10,000 exclusively-designed home furnishings ranging from beds, bookcases, desks and sofas to cookware, textiles, pet products and kitchens, complete with cabinetry and appliances. -A guarantee for material quality and workmanship as part of the IKEA commitment to quality design at affordable prices. -Same-day shopping satisfaction with products in easy-to-transport flat-pack boxes that allow more items to be shipped per truck, require less storage space, reduce labor costs and avoid transport damages. IKEA Stoughton is a Fun Day Out for the Family with... -Smaland, a supervised children's play area that replicates the look of a typical Swedish farmhouse and forest (for children who meet the 37"-54" height requirement). -A "Children's IKEA" area in the Showroom that also offers fun, interactive play. -Attention-to-detail conveniences such as: strollers, child-height handrails, baby care rooms and a private, comfortable room for nursing moms. -Opening one-hour before the store opens for shopping, the 300-seat IKEA Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. -The IKEA Restaurant's diverse menu selection includes a variety of traditional Swedish specialties including the popular IKEA Swedish meatballs, shrimp sandwiches, salmon platters, and American dishes such as pasta, chicken and a vegetarian option. -Menu choices for kids include a child's portion of Swedish meatballs or macaroni and cheese, and organic baby food, bottle warmers and bibs are available for even younger visitors. -A Cafe Bistro near the store's exit serves hot dogs, cinnamonbuns, frozen yogurt and beverages. -The Swedish Foodmarket offers Swedish delicacies, treats, and even frozen IKEA Swedish meatballs for customers to prepare at home. -Nearly 1300 total parking spaces, including 22 easily accessible handicap parking spaces, 53 family-parking spaces and 23 loading parking spaces (to easily load purchases into car). -22 conventional checkout lanes, 5 temporary checkout lanes (just for grand opening week), 8 self-checkout lanes and 5 mobile handheld cash registers to expedite purchases. -Measuring tape, pencils, shopping guides, big yellow shopping bags and two types of shopping carts are available. -Home-delivery and assembly services are available. -Easy-to-follow in-store directional signage in English and Spanish. IKEA currently has more than 225 stores in 33 countries around the globe. When IKEA Stoughton opens, the company will have 26 stores in the U.S., where the company aims to open five new stores a year. Other U.S. stores being planned will be located in: Brooklyn, NY; Canton, MI; Dublin, CA; Portland, OR; Round Rock, TX; Somerville, MA; and West Sacramento, CA. IKEA, the leading home furnishings retailer founded in 1943, offers a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at prices so low that the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA has been ranked in FORTUNE's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" List, Working Mother magazine's annual list of "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" (three years in a row) and Training magazine's annual "Top 100" ranking of companies that excel at human capital development (three years in a row). IKEA supports responsible business practices and innovative initiatives that help protect the environment and the future for children around the world. To visit the IKEA Web site, go to http://www.IKEA-usa.com.