Changing business climates and retail shopping habits have caused Ikea officials to plan a reduced store in Broomfield and so far delayed opening of the site by about two years.
“We are in a rapidly changing retail environment,” Haley Mayer, an Ikea spokesperson, said. “To be fit for long term growth, we are creating a new business model to make sure we’re accessible and convenient for our customers today and in the future.”
As a result, some of the company’s planned expansion plans may change, she said. At the same time, the company also is investing in e-commerce and services to “ensure customers can access Ikea no matter where they are.”
The Swedish company stills owns the 123-acre property at the northwest corner of Interstate 25 and Colo. 7.
“These changes affect our plans for Broomfield, and the timing for construction has been delayed,” Mayer said. “While we remain committed to the site, we have slowed down the process to ensure we design a location that aligns with our multichannel strategy and strengthens our approach to customer fulfilment.”
Ikea purchased the property in September 2016 with plans to construct a 400,000-square-foot store and 1,500 parking space on 36 acres of the site.
It would be Ikea’s second super-store in the Denver metro area.
The first is at 9800 E. Ikea Way in Centennial and opened in 2011.
Plans were submitted to Broomfield in August 2017
“We do not have any other updates at this time, but we remain in communication with Ikea,” said Jill Mendoza, interim director of economic development for Broomfied. “It’s really in Ikea’s court when they’re ready to move forward from an international brand standpoint.”
Applications for permits have not been submitted. Initially, construction was set to begin in the spring of 2018 with opening set for this summer.
At the State of the City address hosted by the Broomfield Chamber of Commerce in February, Mayor Randy Ahrens brought up a conversation he had with Ikea’s president at an international shopping conference. Rumors were swirling about Ikea making changes, which had Broomfield officials a little nervous, he said.
“They’re going to go from the big footprint you see down at the south end of Denver (and) they’re going to make it a little smaller,” Ahrens said, adding that construction likely will begin in 2020 or 2021.
Jennifer Rios: 303-473-1361, riosj@broomfieldenterprise.com or Twitter.com/Jennifer_Rios
