Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA has unveiled ambitious plans to open 10 new stores across the United States in 2026, significantly bolstering its North American footprint. This expansion follows a highly successful year in 2025, during which the company inaugurated 14 new locations.
Strategic Growth Across Key American Markets
The new stores will be strategically located in Chicago, Illinois; Culver City, California; Dallas, Texas (with two separate locations); Fort Collins, Colorado; Houston, Texas; Huntsville, Alabama; Phoenix, Arizona; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Washington, D.C. Concurrently, IKEA will close its Memphis store in May 2026 as part of its ongoing portfolio optimisation.
Rob Olson, IKEA U.S. Interim CEO, emphasised that this expansion exceeds initial projections. "We originally planned to open six locations this year but added four more due to our remarkable success in 2025," Olson stated. "Looking ahead to FY26, we will build on this momentum, focusing on continued investment in the U.S. to make IKEA more affordable, accessible and sustainable."
Consolidating Dominance in Prime States
Currently, IKEA operates 54 stores in the United States, with more than a third concentrated in California (nine stores), Texas (seven stores), and Florida (five stores). Upon completion of the 2026 openings, California and Texas will each boast 10 IKEA locations, reinforcing the brand's stronghold in these populous states.
IKEA's expansion is part of a broader global strategy, adding to its worldwide total of 504 stores, which includes 77 in North America. The retailer is renowned for its vast warehouse-style outlets that offer an extensive range of products, from furniture like beds and couches to home accessories, artwork, potted plants, and iconic Swedish food items such as meatballs and cinnamon rolls.
Innovative Retail Model and Industry Recognition
Beyond its traditional large-format stores, which typically feature in-house restaurants and cafes, IKEA also operates boutique-style Plan and Order stores. These smaller formats allow customers to collaborate with store representatives or use self-service stations to design kitchens, bedrooms, or living rooms and place orders for required items.
IKEA's innovative approach to retail has garnered significant acclaim. In 2025, the company ranked first in the American Innovation Index, which evaluates customer-focused creativity, innovation, value provision, and positive societal and environmental impact. IKEA topped the list ahead of tech giants Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft, as well as industrial leader John Deere.
According to the National Retail Federation, IKEA stands as the only primarily brick-and-mortar home-furnishings retailer among the top 50 U.S. retailers. Founded in Sweden in the 1950s, IKEA expanded to Denmark and Norway in the 1960s before opening its first U.S. store in Pennsylvania in 1985, marking the beginning of its enduring American journey.
