If you’ve walked through Stockport’s Merseyway Shopping Centre recently, you might have noticed something missing: the IKEA Plan and Order Point that opened with a buzz two years ago is now shut. The closure, confirmed for June 2025, marks a quiet end to the Swedish retailer’s experiment with a smaller-format store in the town.
Store: IKEA Stockport Plan and Order Point ·
Location: Merseyway Shopping Centre, Stockport ·
Type: Plan and Order point (small-format store) ·
Opened: March 2023 ·
Closure date: June 16, 2025 ·
Global job cuts announced: 850
Quick snapshot
- Stockport Plan and Order Point closed June 16, 2025 (Secret Manchester (local lifestyle news))
- Store opened in March 2023 (Big Furniture Group (industry publication))
- IKEA cut 850 jobs globally in 2025 (Big Furniture Group (industry publication)) (Secret Manchester (local lifestyle news))
- Exact number of employees affected at Stockport
- Whether more UK stores will close
- IKEA’s exact financial losses in the UK
- Opened March 2023 → Closed June 16, 2025: just over two years (IKEA UK (official store page))
- Aintree Plan and Order Point also closed same date (IKEA UK (official store page))
- Stockport shoppers directed to IKEA Warrington or Manchester Ashton
- IKEA focusing on larger warehouse stores and online order points
Five facts from the official record tell the story of a short-lived retail experiment.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Store type | Plan and Order point |
| Opened | March 2023 |
| Closed | June 16, 2025 |
| Global job cuts announced | 850 |
| Reason given | Difficult decision due to changing customer behaviour |
Why is IKEA struggling?
Declining sales and profitability in key markets
- IKEA has faced falling sales in markets like South Korea, and global profits have been squeezed by rising costs. The company confirmed 850 job cuts worldwide in 2025 (Big Furniture Group (industry publication)).
Impact of inflation and cost of living crisis
- Inflation has reduced consumer spending on furniture and home goods, particularly in the UK where shoppers are tightening belts (Secret Manchester (local lifestyle news)).
Changes in consumer shopping habits
- More customers now prefer online ordering and Click and Collect over in-store browsing. IKEA’s Stockport store was unable to offer returns due to space constraints, which limited its usefulness (Secret Manchester (local lifestyle news)).
Is IKEA closing down in the UK?
List of recent IKEA store closures in the UK
- IKEA has closed both its Stockport Merseyway and Aintree Plan and Order points, both permanently (IKEA UK (official store page)).
- The Stockport store was the second test-and-trial location for the small-format concept after Aintree (Big Furniture Group (industry publication)).
Stockport Merseyway closure details
- The Stockport Plan and Order Point closed on June 16, 2025, after opening in March 2023 (Secret Manchester (local lifestyle news)).
- IKEA described it as a “difficult decision” driven by changing customer behaviour (Stockport Nub News (local news outlet)).
What other stores are affected?
- The Aintree Plan and Order Point — the first test site — also closed on the same date (IKEA UK (official store page)).
- No full-size IKEA stores have been closed in the UK, but the company has not ruled out further consolidations of its small-format portfolio.
Stockport shoppers who used the store for planning kitchens or ordering larger items can no longer return goods locally — the Plan and Order point wasn’t set up for returns. That means a trip to Warrington or Manchester Ashton for any post-purchase issues.
What are the alternatives for Stockport shoppers?
IKEA Warrington
- The Warrington store is a full-size IKEA with a warehouse, restaurant, and returns desk. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Stockport.
IKEA Manchester Ashton
- The Ashton-under-Lyne store is another full-format option, slightly closer but still requiring a car or bus ride.
Online ordering
- IKEA’s website offers delivery and Click and Collect from the nearest large store. The closure of the Stockport point may actually increase online orders, as IKEA noted a shift toward Click and Collect (Secret Manchester (local lifestyle news)).
For Stockport residents, the nearest IKEA is now a drive away. The convenience of a local planning centre is gone, but the full stores offer the range and services the small point couldn’t.
Timeline: IKEA Stockport Merseyway closure
- – IKEA Stockport Plan and Order Point opens at Merseyway Shopping Centre (Big Furniture Group (industry publication)).
- – IKEA announces closure of Stockport store (Secret Manchester (local lifestyle news)).
- – Store closes permanently (IKEA UK (official store page)).
- – IKEA cuts 850 jobs globally (Big Furniture Group (industry publication)).
- – IKEA closes several small-format stores in the UK, including Aintree and Stockport.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Stockport closure date: June 16, 2025 (Secret Manchester (local lifestyle news))
- IKEA cutting 850 jobs globally (Big Furniture Group (industry publication))
- IKEA citing “difficult decision” and changing customer behaviour (Stockport Nub News (local news outlet))
What’s unclear
- Exact number of employees affected at Stockport
- Whether more UK stores will close
- IKEA’s exact financial losses in the UK
What people are saying
“We have taken the difficult decision to close our Stockport Plan and Order point. This is due to changing customer behaviour and the increased demand for our online services.”
— IKEA spokesperson (statement to Secret Manchester (local lifestyle news))
“The closure of the Stockport store, which only opened two years ago, raises questions about IKEA’s commitment to smaller high-street formats in the UK.”
— Manchester Evening News reporter (editorial coverage)
“For local shoppers, the loss is a mix of disappointment and inevitability — the store was handy for planning but limited for actual purchases.”
— Secret Manchester writer (local reaction piece)
The closure of IKEA Stockport Merseyway is a clear sign that the company is pulling back from its small-format experiment in the UK. For Stockport residents, the convenience of a nearby planning centre is gone, and the nearest full IKEA is now a car journey away. The pattern is clear: IKEA is doubling down on large warehouse stores and online channels. Shoppers who want the full IKEA experience will need to travel to Warrington or Ashton, or simply order from their sofa.
Related reading: Poundland Is Closing Over 100 Stores by Next Year: Full List · B&Q Bolton: Store Location, Opening Times & Discounts
For those seeking similar patterns, the IKEA Scarborough Town Centre closing also demonstrates how the Swedish retailer adapts its smaller-format stores to shifting market conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Plan and Order point at IKEA?
A Plan and Order point is a small-format store where customers can browse a limited selection of home furnishing accessories, plan kitchens and wardrobes with staff, and place orders for delivery. It does not stock all IKEA products and cannot handle returns (IKEA UK (official store page)).
How do I order from IKEA after the Stockport closure?
You can order online at IKEA.co.uk for delivery, or use Click and Collect from the nearest full-size stores (IKEA Warrington or IKEA Manchester Ashton).
Will IKEA open a store in Stockport again?
IKEA has not announced any plans to open a new store in Stockport. The closure of the Plan and Order point ends the company’s presence in the town for now.
Are there any IKEA stores near Stockport?
Yes. The nearest full-size IKEA stores are in Warrington (about 20 miles west) and Manchester Ashton (about 6 miles north). Both offer the full range of products and services.
How does the Stockport closure affect delivery services?
Delivery services are unaffected. You can still order through IKEA’s website for home delivery. The closure only removes the physical planning centre in Stockport.
Can I still pick up online orders in Stockport?
No. The Stockport store did not offer Click and Collect pickup. You will need to select a different pickup location, such as the Warrington or Ashton stores, or choose home delivery.
What are IKEA’s opening hours at other local stores?
IKEA Warrington and IKEA Manchester Ashton typically open 10am–8pm Monday to Saturday and 11am–5pm Sunday. Check the IKEA UK website for exact times.
Edward Miles is Policy & Research Correspondent at CivicInsight.uk, covering money, markets, public data and policy analysis. He works through official documents and public datasets to build the evidence base behind our reporting.