Five things you need to know about Ikea’s new Dublin store

It’s the store we love to hate; we visit for the low prices and the choice of products, but the self-serve shopping experience can leave some of us with not just frayed nerves but damaged relationships.

Now however, Ikea is bringing a new experience to Ireland - one that doesn't feature the temptations of the "market hall".

Its new, smaller “order and collection” store is set to open this summer in The Park in Carrickmines, south Dublin.

It’s not a new concept; Ikea has already trialled its order and collection format in the UK, in both Norwich and Aberdeen and is shortly set to open a similar outlet in London, as part of an effort to make Ikea “more accessible to many more people”.

But it’s the first time that the Swedish furniture giant has brought the idea to Ireland. So what do you need to know about the Swedish chain’s new southside store?

1) It’s much smaller than Ballymun

The new outlet, at 15,000 square feet, is considerably smaller than the Swedish chain’s Ballymun store, which is more than 300,000 square feet - think of a Tesco Express as opposed to a Tesco Extra. This means that the outlet won’t house the vast warehouse many people associate with Ikea.

2) You won’t be bringing your Malm chest of drawers home from Carrickmines...

As an order and collection point, Ikea’s southside store won’t allow you to bring your goods home on the day. Rather the outlet will act primarily as “a planning studio”, Ikea said, which will help people plan and order more complex purchases such as kitchens, wardrobes and sofas, and it will offer inspiration in the form of furniture displays. To buy a Malm chest of drawers or a Billy bookcase you can place an order in store, and the goods can then either be delivered either to your home, or will be made available for collection at the smaller store. So remember to measure the item you order or prepare for some fraught conversations in the car park as to whether or not that bookcase - flatpacked or not - will fit in your car.

3) ...but smaller items will be for sale in the store

While larger items won’t be available in Carrickmines, Ikea said it will have a “small range” of products for sale. So, you’ll still be able to purchase a myriad of scented candles and kitchen accessories you never thought you needed and will probably never use.

4) You will be able to eat there

If you’re a fan of the chain’s breakfast for €2.95 or its frozen meatballs, you will be pleased to hear that the Swedish chain will operate a cafe at its new outlet, as well as a food market. However, both the cafe and the food shop will be “small”, so choice, again, will be limited.

5) A collection fee may apply

In the UK, Ikea has imposed a charge for people using its collection points in Norwich and Aberdeen. So, Irish customers living closer to Carrickmines can likely expect a similar fee in exchange for missing out on the full Ikea experience in Ballymun. In the UK, the cost for small parcels is £3.75 (€4.76), rising to £7.50 (€9.52) for large parcels. For all other large orders the cost is £15.00 (€19). A spokesman for Ikea said that these costs are currently being firmed up and will be available closer to the time of opening.

Home delivery will also be possible. Ikea currently charges Irish customers a fee of € 35 for goods valued at up to €250, or €95 on goods worth more than €1,000.