A new small-format IKEA store set to open in London in fall 2026 will bring the popular retailer about an hour from Sarnia, replacing Burlington as the closest location.
A long drive to Burlington for IKEA may soon be a thing of the past for Sarnians.
IKEA Canada has confirmed plans to open a new store in London, Ontario, marking the first location in the country under a new smaller-format concept. The store is expected to open in fall 2026 inside White Oaks Mall at 1105 Wellington Road, in the former Hudson’s Bay space.
For Sarnia-area residents, the change means a significantly shorter drive. The nearest full IKEA store has historically been in Burlington, requiring a trip of roughly two hours. The new London location will cut that travel time down to about an hour.
The London store will be designed for convenience, focusing on everyday home furnishings and quicker visits rather than the traditional large warehouse-style experience IKEA is known for.
The space will be approximately 43,000 square feet, about one-fifth the size of the Burlington store. Customers can expect a curated selection of more than 2,000 items available for immediate purchase, along with the option to order from IKEA’s full catalogue for delivery or pickup.
The store will also feature showroom-style displays with room setups and design ideas, as well as staff available to assist with planning services for spaces such as kitchens and storage systems.
Food offerings, a staple of the IKEA experience, will also be included in the smaller format.
The new concept is part of a broader shift by IKEA to expand into more communities with flexible store formats that complement both online shopping and traditional locations. The company has already tested similar models internationally, reporting positive customer response.
London was selected as the first Canadian location for this format, building on an existing “plan and order point” that opened in the city in 2024, where customers can book appointments to design and purchase home solutions.
The White Oaks Mall redevelopment will see the former Hudson’s Bay footprint transformed into a multi-use retail and entertainment space, with IKEA occupying the majority of the space. Additional tenants and features for the remaining space are expected to be announced soon.
The London store is currently the only confirmed new small-format IKEA location in Canada as part of a broader international expansion plan.
For Sarnians, it means flat-pack furniture, Swedish meatballs, and last-minute home upgrades will soon be a much shorter drive away.
