The transaction was assisted by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.
Located in the southern part of Bucharest, Grand Arena Shopping Mall has been developed by EUROINVEST INTERMED, a company with Swiss capital, and has undergone a significant transformation in recent years.
Supported by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox’s Retail Agency team, the scheme has substantially improved its tenant mix, attracting both international and local brands and reaching an occupancy rate close to 100%.
“The arrival of IKEA marks a new milestone in strengthening Grand Arena’s position on the Bucharest retail market and confirms the project’s growing appeal among international brands pursuing expansion opportunities. IKEA’s presence enhances the shopping center’s tenant mix and contributes to increasing its relevance for the rapidly growing community in southern Bucharest. Over recent years, Grand Arena has evolved into a comprehensive retail destination, supported by a solid customer base and consistent footfall, and this transaction further reinforces the area’s potential for investment and new retail developments,” said Alina Dima, Senior Consultant, Retail Agency, Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.
The new location, the second of its kind in the capital and the fifth in Romania, marks another step in the company’s ambition to become even more accessible and convenient for the many people. Complementing the new Plan & Order Point, IKEA is also opening a Pick-up Point close to the studio, within the same shopping center, making it easier for customers to plan, order and collect their purchases in one place.
The new Plan & Order Point is designed to help customers create functional and affordable solutions for their homes, with expert guidance on kitchens, wardrobes and storage. The studio features seven kitchen layouts, eight bedroom solutions and four living room settings, showcasing more than 1,400 IKEA products to inspire visitors. Customers visiting the new Plan & Order Point can also purchase around 200 IKEA products on the spot.
In addition to one-to-one planning sessions with IKEA experts, customers can benefit from services such as home measurements, product consultation, ordering support, kitchen installation and furniture assembly. They can also choose from a range of convenient delivery and collection options, including free collection from the Plan & Order Point, home delivery, or collection from the new Grand Arena Pick-up Point or any other IKEA Pick-up Point nationwide.
“At IKEA, we believe everyone deserves a home that works for their everyday life. With our new Plan & Order Point in Grand Arena, we’re making it even easier for customers in southern Bucharest to access expert support and personalized solutions for some of the most important spaces in their homes. Every planning session is tailored to each customer’s needs, helping them turn ideas into practical, affordable and beautiful solutions. To make the experience as smooth and convenient as possible, we encourage customers to book their planning appointments in advance on the IKEA website, ensuring dedicated time with one of our home furnishing experts,” said Mihai-Dinte Pop, Plan & Order Point Manager, IKEA Romania.
The new IKEA Pick-up Point which complements IKEA Plan & Order Point Grand Arena enables customers to conveniently collect products ordered in the studio, but also in IKEA stores, online or by phone, with the support of IKEA Customer Service co-workers. The flexible collection service allows customers to choose the day and time that best suits their schedule, while also benefiting from lower delivery costs compared to home delivery, with fees depending on the weight of the order.
With the opening of the new locations, IKEA now operates two stores in Bucharest and one in Timisoara, five Plan & Order Points in Constanta, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Brasov, and six Pick-up Points across Romania, located in Brasov, Iasi, Cluj-Napoca, Constanta, Sibiu and Bucharest. As part of its long-term growth strategy, IKEA will continue expanding its customer meeting points network, bringing its home furnishing expertise, products and services closer to the many people.