Ikea’s May 6 opening in Tampa is generating as much media excitement as if it were the second coming of Disney World. Stands to reason, since the 353,000-square-foot store is a lot like a home furnishings theme park.
The Swedish retailer, which has nearly 300 locations worldwide, will now have 37 stores throughout the US, including three in Florida. The first two opened a year and a half ago in Sunrise and Orlando, and the Tampa store is actually opening well ahead of its original late-summer plan.
But where Ikea’s road map goes next is as uncertain as the economy. Only two US store openings are planned this year, in Denver and Boston. No others are on the drawing board for Florida, though one Ikea official at Wednesday’s press preview (who didn’t want to be quoted) tells me that the chain is considering Palm Beach County.
The cult following Ikea has is phenomenal, with thousands of shoppers lining up days in advance for grand openings. The first 100 in line in Tampa starting Monday are promised free chairs, which may make the wait a bit more tolerable.
What’s really remarkable is the timing of Tampa’s opening, amidst a national recession and 10% local unemployment. Shoppers are looking for value nowadays, they know Ikea is one place to find it and they’re raring to open their wallets.
If Ikea has record-setting opening-day sales, you’re not likely to hear about it. It’s a private company, after all.
Commercial Grove 
Great article Carl. I bet we WILL here all about the opening day success despite the company being private. Can’t believe all the media thus far on it but am glad to see it. IKEA must have a GOOD P.R. department. Positive news builds on positive news & we need as much as we can get! Hope they do VERY well & that lots of other retail follows – as hoped for.