Is IKEA Coming to Louisiana or New Orleans?

Do you love the sleek and modern style of IKEA products?

This Swedish retailer is famous for offering quality furniture and home décor. Most products are designed with included storage options, which are perfect for people who live in compact homes.

While the company’s furniture is very popular in the United States, not everyone has a local store. For many people, the only option is to order via the company’s website and wait for a delivery. 

So, let’s find out the answer to the question on everyone’s lips, is IKEA coming to Louisiana or New Orleans?

IKEA’s Presence in the United States

The company opened its first store in the United States in 1985. This happened in a shopping mall just outside the city of Philadelphia. The Swedish retailer was welcomed with open arms, and it was believed that hundreds of stores would follow. However, there are just 52 stores across the United States today.

The States with the Most IKEA Stores

The retailer boasts stores in 27 states and territories throughout the United States. However, the distribution of these stores is quite uneven, and some parts of the country have more stores than others. Here is a breakdown of the states with the highest number of IKEA stores.

California

With ten stores throughout California, this is the state with the highest number of stores. There is roughly one store for every 3,951,200 people within the state. Cities where IKEA stores can be found in California include San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.

Florida

There are a total of five stores throughout the state of Florida. This means that there is roughly one store for every 4,295,600 people within the state. The largest of these stores can be found in Fort Lauderdale.

Texas

There are also five stores spread out across the state of Texas. This includes a particularly large store in Houston. Because this state is so large and densely populated, there is roughly one store for every 5,799,200 people.

States and Territories Without Any IKEA Stores

Even though the company boasts 52 stores, the majority of states do not have a store. In fact, a total of 29 states and territories do not feature a branch. The states and territories that do not feature an IKEA store are as follows:

The Reason There Are No Local Stores

If you live in Louisiana, you are sure to know that there are no IKEA stores in the state. And, of course, you’re probably dying to know, Is IKEA Coming to Louisiana or New Orleans?

The bad news…

In fact, the company does not currently have plans to open any stores in the state. This is mostly due to the overall size and population of the state.

Like any successful company, IKEA does extensive market research before investing in a new store. It is essential to make sure the potential profits will cover the costs of establishing and running the store. Generally, there needs to be a population of at least two million people within a sixty-mile radius. 

So, does this state make the cut?

Louisiana is the 25th largest state and boasts a population of a little over 4.6 million people. However, the state’s population is spread out over an area of 43,203.90 square miles. Moreover, the largest city in the state is New Orleans, with a population of less than half a million people.

Another barrier to opening an IKEA in Louisiana…

New Orleans is known for its natural beauty and is surrounded by large bodies of water. This means that if a store was established in the city, it would mainly be used by the city’s residents. Unfortunately, this means that the store would be unlikely to make enough revenue to cover the costs. 

Nearby locations

The closest IKEA stores to Louisiana are located in the state of Texas. Therefore, unless you are planning a trip to the Lone Star State, you need to prepare for a long journey. A car trip from New Orleans to the store in Houston takes a little over five hours. Factor in the time to do your shopping and head back home, and that’s quite a commitment. 

Delivery 

If you don’t want to travel to Texas to do some shopping, you can order products through the company’s website. You need to create a free account to get started and then log into your account. You will then be able to browse for thousands of high-quality products at your leisure.

The company delivers products to most parts of the United States, including Louisiana. Online orders are shipped from distribution centers rather than stores. However, the cost of deliveries can be high, especially if you order large pieces of furniture. Alternatively, you can arrange for an independent delivery company, Louisiana Swedeheart, to bring products to your door. 

Potential IKEA Locations in Louisiana

Most stores in the United States are located in or close to major cities. When searching for a potential location in the state, it is unclear where a store could be established. It would be necessary to choose a location that is accessible to around two million people.

Another determining factor when it comes to location is available space. Most of the company’s stores are very large. Therefore, determining the right location for a store within the state would be quite difficult.

More on Ordering Online From IKEA

If you’re wondering what to do while waiting for an IKEA branch to open in your state, delivery may still be your best option for now. So, check out all you need to know about IKEA Bed Weight Limits, IKEA Returns without Receipt and the Biggest Ikea Stores in the World. Or you may wish to know, Does IKEA Take Apple Pay, PayPal, Google Pay, and Afterpay, and Why is IKEA Shipping so Expensive in 2023?

Thinking of making the drive to your nearest state with an IKEA to shop in person? We have updated IKEA policies you should look into first, such as When Does IKEA Restock?, and Does IKEA Allow Dogs and Are They Pet Friendly?

Ok, back to today’s question…

Final Thoughts

Like many companies, IKEA determines whether to open new stores based on the number of people in the area. There needs to be a large enough potential customer base to make opening a new store profitable. Because there are less than 400,000 people in New Orleans, the city doesn’t meet the specifications.

In terms of the total population, there are simply not enough people in Louisiana to warrant the opening of a store. Therefore, it is unlikely that a store will be opened in the state in the near future. However, you can choose to order products from the IKEA website and have them delivered to your door in Louisiana, if you wish.

Happy IKEA shopping!