OREANDA-NEWS. June 17, 2016. Construction begins this July on warehouse expansions at the IKEA Calgary and IKEA Edmonton stores. The projects will add an average of 29,000 square feet of space to each of the existing warehouses, which will mean there will be more products available for customers.

The expansion projects will support approximately 270 construction jobs in the province, create new hires at the Edmonton store and represents a total investment of \\$28 million Canadian.

“We are working diligently to provide our customers from coast-to-coast with an easier and more convenient shopping experience,” said Stefan Sj?strand, IKEA Canada President. “With sales increasing at both locations, there is a need to expand our warehouses to better serve our valued customers in Alberta.”

Construction on both stores is expected to be completed by summer 2017. The expansion is part of IKEA Canada’s ambition to become more accessible to as many people as possible, with the aim of doubling its presence in Canada by 2025.

“IKEA’s expansion in Calgary is a bright light in our economy,” said Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary.” This investment shows confidence in Calgarians while creating job and opportunity.”

From opening new stores, to expanding existing ones, testing new store formats and strengthening its distribution network, IKEA is committed to putting its customers at the centre of everything it does.

“Customers in Calgary and beyond have been great supporters of IKEA for more than 37 years,” said Jacob Brandberg, IKEA Calgary Store Manager. “We are excited that this investment in our store will allow us to deliver an even better shopping experience.”

IKEA Edmonton’s Store Manager Alan Corbett agrees: “The investment in our stores will allow us to improve on our existing services and having more stock available for our customers.”

Several services are available at both stores to make shopping at IKEA more convenient. Customers who wish to take advantage of the in-store Shopping Service can have their furniture picked up and delivered directly to their homes for \\$79. This is an addition to IKEA’s existing offer of delivery, assembly, installation and kitchen services. Free WiFi is also available in every store, allowing customers to surf the mobile version of IKEA’s website or download the IKEA Canada Shopping App, which can be used to check stock availability, create shopping lists and locate products in the Self Serve warehouse.

IKEA Canada is also continuing to make investments in renewable energy, products for a sustainable life at home, and is committed to making a difference in the communities where it operates. The purchase of a wind farm in Pincher Creek, Alberta has enabled IKEA Canada to become energy independent five years ahead of its global goal of 2020. It produces more than double IKEA Canada’s total energy consumption.

In response to the devastating wildfire in Fort McMurray, IKEA announced a \\$100,000 donation of furniture and home furnishings products to assist with immediate relief and long term recovery effort. Additionally, in response to the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis and Canada’s commitment to welcoming 25,000 refugees, IKEA Canada offered \\$190,000 to registered Canadian charities supporting the resettlement efforts. Specifically \\$20,000 was given to the Alberta stores, with up to nearly 20 families directly benefiting.

IKEA Calgary has served the local market for 36 years and has been operating in its current location since 2004. It employs 303 people, many who are long standing co-workers. The store’s longest serving co-worker has been with the company since 1981. IKEA Edmonton originally open 37 years ago and reopened its current location in 2003 and employs 342 co-workers. Its longest serving co-worker has been with the company for more than 30 years.