When Does IKEA Restock? (2023 Guide)

Have you ever visited your local IKEA store only to discover your favorite item is out of stock? 

This Swedish superstore is famous for its ready-to-assemble furniture and home furnishings. This huge superstore stocks thousands of products for the home, all conveniently under one roof. 

No matter what types of products for the home you are looking for, you are sure to find something here. However, the popularity of certain products means that they can sell out quite quickly. 

So, you may be wondering, ‘when does IKEA restock?’, well, it’s time to find out…

How Often Does IKEA Restock? 

The answer to this question depends on what you are searching for. The time of the week and frequency that items are restocked depends on their popularity. Let’s take a closer look at the specific timeframes when different types of items are replenished. 

Furniture

The superstore receives large shipments of furniture on the weekends to meet demand from weekend customers. Some large pieces of furniture like bed frames, tables, desks, and sofas, can take up to two weeks to be replenished. 

In the last couple of years, shipments have been getting delayed more and more frequently. More people working from home has also led to a higher demand for home office furniture like desks and chairs. This has led to higher waiting periods for certain items that are out of stock. 

Smaller items

Smaller home décor and household items are usually replenished every day or two. This includes items such as lamps, kitchen utensils, rugs, and storage products. However, it is only possible to replenish these items when shipments have arrived, and stock is available. 

Electronics

The superstore sells electronics under the tag of ‘smart home’ items. New stock typically arrives every day or two, and products are replenished once they start to run low. Unlike other items, there have not been shortages of electronics, and they are usually readily available. 

Plants

New shipments of plants usually arrive at the warehouse on Saturdays and Sundays, and plants are replenished on Mondays. However, the shipment of certain plants tends to vary with the season and the supplier. It is a good idea to check availability if you are interested in purchasing particular plants. 

When Does IKEA Restock? – The “As-Is” Section

This section of the store is a great place to pick up a bargain or two. The items in this section have been returned to the warehouse for some reason. There are usually plenty of great clearance deals to be found here.

The items in this section are often half-built or slightly damaged in some way. You need to inspect these items carefully to make sure that no pieces are missing. However, minor scratches and other damage can usually be repaired fairly easily.

Most items are returned over weekends…

In most stores, this section is restocked once or twice a week, although it may be restocked more often. You can call your nearest store to find out which days the As-Is section is usually restocked. Most items tend to be returned over the weekend, so the best time to visit this section is on Mondays. 

How To Check If Something Is In-Stock 

The Stock Availability feature on Ikea’s website makes it easy to see if certain products are available. Simply locate the product page on the website and select ‘check in-store stock.’ A list of all the IKEA stores will then appear, along with details of whether the product is in-stock in each.

You can also search for a specific store by state or city. Three different product statuses may appear according to the circumstance. These are available, out-of-stock, and low in-stock. If a product is low in stock, it is a good idea to call ahead and find out if you can reserve the product.

What To Do If An Item Is Out of Stock 

It’s sure to be a pain if the Ikea product you are looking for is out of stock. Fortunately, there are a few things to get your hands on this choice item as quickly as possible. Here are some ways to quickly find the product you are looking for.

Check online

These days, a rapidly increasing percentage of the store’s customers do their shopping online. Therefore, smaller items are often more frequently replenished in the online store. Searching the website increases your chances of finding a particular product. You can also enjoy the extra convenience of having a product delivered right to your door. 

Check a different branch

If you live in a large city, you may be lucky enough to have more than one Ikea branch within driving distance. The stock between branches can vary dramatically and is often ordered to meet the needs of customers in the area. If the product you are looking for is not available in your usual branch, it could easily be in another branch. 

Sign up for alerts

You can set up an email or SMS alert when the product is back in stock. This is easy to set up through the company’s website. This will help to make sure you get your hands on that special product as quickly as possible. 

Check out Amazon

Amazon boasts a wide range of Swedish-style furniture inspired by the store. You can find a wide range of beds, bookshelves, desks, TV units, and other items that look remarkably similar. In some cases, you may even find that genuine items can be found on Amazon with just a few clicks. 

Are The Out Of Stock Listings Accurate?

The listings on the company’s website are updated every 24 hours. The new products are added to the list of stock, and the status of different products is quickly changed. This helps to make sure that the listings for products online and in stores are as accurate as possible.

However, no system is perfect, and there is sure to be room for error. If you are planning a trip to your local store, it is a good idea to call ahead. This could save you a wasted trip, although any opportunity to enjoy the store’s famous meatballs is never a waste of time. 

The Reason For Product Shortages

The company has always done a good job in the past of making sure popular products are constantly available. However, things shifted dramatically in the last couple of years, with more and more products being out of stock. This is largely because demand for certain items dramatically increased, making it impossible to keep up with demand.

IKEA has set up extra manufacturing processes to help cope with the increased demand for certain products. The company has also added extra distribution and hired more staff to help facilitate faster restocking. However, it takes time for the effects of these measures to be realized. 

There has also been a lumber shortage in recent years, which has impacted the production of new furniture. 

The Best Time To Visit A Store

Timing is key if you want to increase your chances of getting the product you are looking for. The best time to visit in terms of stock availability is between 09:00 and 14:00 from Monday to Wednesday. These are also the times of the week when the stores tend to be the quietest. As a bonus, you can treat yourself to a tasty treat for lunch at the store cafeteria.

The stores tend to get quite busy from late afternoon to early evening on Fridays and Saturdays. However, visiting after 18:00 will allow you to beat the crowds. Again, you can grab something from the cafeteria before you start browsing for bargains. 

The Man Behind The Superstore!

Would you like to know more about the world’s most famous furniture superstar? Then, we highly recommend The IKEA Edge: Building Global Growth and Social Good at the World’s Most Iconic Home Store, or perhaps Leading By Design: The Ikea Story, along with Design by IKEA: A Cultural History.

The founder of Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, reveals a lot of personal truths and struggles in building his empire with his book, The IKEA STORY, and also an intriguing read is IKEA: How to Become the World’s Richest Man. If you’re interested in the business dynamic of Ikea, then check out the insightful Strategic Sourcing and Category Management: Lessons Learned at IKEA, all available online in 2023.

Lastly, you might be job hunting; for that, we have our Ikea Application and the most common Ikea Interview Questions to help you start the process!

When Does IKEA Restock? – Final Thoughts

Finding out a product that you have set your sights on is out of stock can be disappointing.

 Checking out the website of your store in advance can help you avoid this. If the product is not available, you can make arrangements to be alerted when it becomes available once more.

However, the company offers so many awesome products that it is easy to find an alternative product. In some cases, you may even find a better option simply by checking out the rest of the collection. The company does not compromise when it comes to quality and style, and you are sure to find something special.

Happy Shopping at your favorite Ikea Store!