40 jobs hope as Wednesbury Ikea store lodges click and collect plan
More than 40 new jobs could be created at Ikea's Wednesbury store as the furniture giant looks to expand to meet online demand.
The firm has submitted proposals to Walsall Council to provide temporary lockers for its click and collect (C&C) service as more people turn to internet shopping as a result of Covid.
In its application, Ikea said there is not enough space in the store, off Park Lane, for people to collect their items.
If the temporary lockers are approved, they would be there for 36 months and create a total of 41 new full time and part time jobs at the store.
Planning agents Quod said: “This application responds to Ikea's pressing need to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions.
“The continued popularity of online retail, and the impact of Covid-19 amongst other matters, has meant that retailers must be able to adapt quickly to meet changing expectations.
Glassware
“Of the store's total sales, 25 per cent are now made online.
“However, with orders increasing, the store is currently unable to meet its rapidly increasing demand for online C&C orders as there is insufficient space within the store to hold customers’ orders.
“There is therefore a need to provide temporary C&C facilities which will enable Ikea to better meet the needs of their existing customers who already use the store.
“The lockers will be ancillary to the C&C operation and will store small orders, such as glassware and plants, and allow larger, bulkier goods to be held in the storage unit.
“It is envisaged that 41 new jobs (logistics and customer relations roles) will be created as part of the proposals.
“Importantly, in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the proposals will make socially distanced shopping easier by providing existing customers at Ikea the ability to shop without having to enter the store, provide greater flexibility to choose when they shop and avoid peak times and supports social distancing through contactless collection.
“It will also reduce the number of unproductive trips as customers will be arriving with the certainty that the product is available to collect at the store.”
Walsall Council planners are expected to make a decision on the application next month.
