Tomorrow is the grand opening of Ikea's Tsim Sha Tsui store but the public are not waiting until then. Since the shutters came up for its soft opening last Friday, the store at K11 Art Mall has been crowded with eager homemakers.
Billed as a Plan and Order Point rather than a full store, the 15,000 square feet area features unusual concepts such as fully cashless transactions by self checkout system and e-payment methods, as well as lockers and order points for the speedy pick-up of online orders.
As the new store has a theme of healthy and sustainable living, it will stock a huge variety of sustainable home decor and products - from beddings to kitchen utensils to storage.
Energy-saving LED lights are used throughout the area and there will be real plants for sale.
A sustainably built Swedish food market and bistro, which is equipped with highly functional dishwashers for water and energy saving, will offer Tsim Sha Tsui exclusive and premiere items on its menu.
In the Swedish food market, eco-frozen food will be on sale with seasonal promotions such as 15 percent off on selected items.
"Using the Ikea range, we hope to encourage our customers to engage in a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, while also helping to secure a brighter future for generations to come," said Adrian Worth, managing director of Dairy Farm Ikea North Asia.
"We are excited to be re-entering the heart of Yau Tsim Mong district after 30 years and we aim to bring a more advanced and fresh shopping experience to our new customers. We believe we can contribute to the already great shopping experience, by offering an interesting and inspiring range all representing great design and quality at affordable prices."
During the opening period, customers who purchase anything from the store and check-in on social media will be given a copy of Ikea's Us & Our Planet, This Is How We Live book.
The 256-page book, published by Phaidon Press, shines light on eco-friendly living tips from dining, entertainment, home environment and other angles, to educate the many people on how to lead a sustainable life.
Two major categories in focus are living room and bedroom furniture and beddings, as well as dining and kitchen products. They are displayed in five zones and 12 sample display areas.
The new Sustainability zone features over hundreds of eco-friendly furniture and accessories - such as plants, beddings made from organic and renewable fabrics, as well as practical kitchen utensils that help reduce waste and save water and electricity. Customers can also learn tips about sustainable living from the labels posted in the zone.
Another novel idea is the home planning hub, where specialists will help customers plan their interiors. The service is suitable for families who are renovating their homes or moving into new ones, focusing on practical and multi-functional storage systems to create more storage space and possibilities for different living environments.
Knowing that Ikea has made a name for itself in children's furniture and home accessories, it has set up two themed zones to showcase healthy and sustainable living, as well as children products.
The Ikea in Tsim Shark Tsui zone revolves around the beloved Blahaj shark soft toy. In addition, it will stock over 800 products for kids' rooms. In the Living with Kids zone, safe and non-toxic art supplies and toys for children are on sale to help bring out the budding artist.
Where: B204-B210, B2, K11 Art Mall, Tsim Sha Tsui
ivy.ong@singtaonewscorp.com
