As an interior designer and long-time IKEA shopper, I‘ve become quite the expert at navigating the Swedish retailer‘s massive stores and flat-pack furniture systems. However, like many busy professionals, I don‘t always have time for leisurely in-store browsing and transport of bulky boxes. That‘s why I was thrilled when IKEA introduced curbside pickup through its Click & Collect service.
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know about using IKEA Click & Collect for curbside pickup in the US and Canada, including fees, ordering process, and insider tips. I‘ll also provide some analysis of how this service fits into IKEA‘s broader e-commerce strategy and compares to other retailers.
How IKEA Click & Collect Curbside Pickup Works
IKEA‘s Click & Collect service allows customers to shop online at IKEA.com, select "curbside pickup" at checkout, and retrieve their orders from a designated parking spot at their local IKEA store. The process is designed to be contactless, with IKEA staff bringing the items directly to your vehicle.
Fees & Requirements
A $5 fee applies to all Click & Collect curbside pickup orders under $49. Orders over $49 have no additional fees.
There is no item limit for curbside orders, but certain product categories are excluded, such as:
- Live plants
- Food and beverages (including the Restaurant, Bistro, and Swedish Food Market)
- Custom countertops
- Items that require in-store picking (e.g. As-Is merchandise)
All Click & Collect orders must be paid in full online via credit card, debit card, IKEA gift card, or IKEA rewards points. In-store pickup is typically available within 4 hours of order placement.
Step-by-Step Ordering Process
Here‘s a detailed breakdown of how to place an IKEA Click & Collect curbside pickup order:
- Visit IKEA.com and sign into your account (optional but recommended)
- Browse items and add desired products to your virtual shopping cart
- Proceed to checkout and select "Click & Collect" as your fulfillment method
- Choose your pickup location from the list of nearby IKEA stores
- Select a pickup date and time window (typically in 1-hour increments)
- Enter payment information and submit your order
- Wait for email confirmation that your order is ready for pickup (usually within 4 hours)
- Bring your order number and government-issued photo ID to the store at your scheduled time
- Follow signs for the Click & Collect pickup area and park in a designated spot
- Text or call the provided number to alert staff of your arrival
- Pop your trunk or unlock your doors to allow for loading
- IKEA staff will bring your order to your car and verify your information
- Check that all items are accounted for before leaving
A few important things to note:
- IKEA Click & Collect is currently available at most, but not all, IKEA locations in the US and Canada. Check your local store page for availability.
- Pickup hours and slot availability may vary by location and are subject to change, especially around holidays.
- If you need to designate someone else to pick up your order, you can add their name and contact info during checkout. They will need to show their own government-issued photo ID.
- IKEA staff are not permitted to enter customer vehicles or tie down merchandise. Make sure your car has adequate space and you can secure your items yourself.
- For faster order processing, have your order number and ID ready when you arrive for pickup.
IKEA Curbside Pickup Fees, Policies & Restrictions
To help you plan your IKEA Click & Collect orders, here are some more details on the applicable fees and policies:
| Order Subtotal | Pickup Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $49 | $5 flat |
| $49+ | FREE |
Additional key policies:
- No returns or exchanges on curbside pickup orders once received
- No cash, checks, or in-store credit accepted for online orders
- Pickup person must be 18+ with valid government-issued photo ID
- Orders held for 24 hours after selected pickup window, then canceled and refunded
- All sales final on as-is, custom countertop, and cut fabric orders
It‘s also helpful to keep in mind some product-specific restrictions:
| Category | Curbside Pickup Availability |
|---|---|
| Furniture & Decor | Yes |
| Appliances & Electronics | Yes |
| Bed & Bath Textiles | Yes |
| Kitchenware & Tabletop | Yes |
| Lighting & Smart Home | Yes |
| Plants, Flowers & Gardening | No |
| Food & Beverages | No |
| Custom Countertops | No |
| As-Is Merchandise | No |
Impact of IKEA Curbside Pickup on Sales & Customer Behavior
IKEA was slower than many competitors to introduce curbside pickup, not fully rolling out Click & Collect in the US and Canada until 2020. However, the service has quickly become a key sales driver and customer expectation.
In fiscal year 2021, IKEA‘s global online sales grew by 73% to account for 26% of total revenue, up from just 18% the year prior (Source: IKEA Year in Review 2021). Much of this boost came from the expansion of Click & Collect, which is now offered at 363 pickup points across 27 countries.
A 2021 survey by Retail Brew and Harris Poll also found that 41% of US adults used curbside pickup from a retailer in the past year, with satisfaction rates of 79% for IKEA specifically. This positions IKEA ahead of other home retailers like Lowe‘s (77%) and Home Depot (75%) in terms of curbside success.
Beyond the topline numbers, curbside pickup has also transformed how and when people shop at IKEA. Traditionally seen as a "make a day of it" destination, IKEA is now a viable option for time-pressed shoppers to grab a few items on their lunch break or swing home after work.
The ease of online ordering for in-store retrieval has also made it easier for customers to purchase bulky or heavy items they may have avoided transporting on their own before. IKEA has reported notable sales growth in categories like outdoor furniture, mattresses, and appliances since introducing curbside service (Source: CNBC).
How IKEA‘s Curbside Pickup Compares to Competitors
So how does IKEA‘s Click & Collect service stack up against other retailers offering curbside options? Here‘s my assessment:
Pros:
- Low order minimum for free pickup ($49, compared to $35-$45 for many others)
- Broad selection of eligible items across furniture, decor, storage, textiles, etc.
- 4-hour turnaround from order to pickup is on par with or faster than competitors
- Multiple online payment options, including IKEA reward points
Cons:
- $5 fee for orders under $49, while some competitors like Target and Bed Bath & Beyond have no minimum
- No fresh food, plants, custom goods or "as-is" sale items available (which competitors like Home Depot and Lowe‘s do offer)
- Later to market with curbside compared to big box stores and other home retailers
- Complex inventory system and flat-pack model can make order accuracy challenging
One interesting point of comparison is Wayfair, another major online home retailer. Wayfair has long offered next-day or 2-day delivery on many items but does not have a curbside option due to its lack of physical stores.
This has given IKEA a potential leg up for shoppers who want their items quickly but don‘t want to pay Wayfair‘s fairly steep delivery fees (often $5-$40+ per item). With Click & Collect, IKEA customers can get the best of both worlds – online ordering convenience and free in-person pickup.
The Future of IKEA Curbside Pickup & E-Commerce
Looking ahead, it‘s clear that curbside pickup will remain a major focus area for IKEA as it aims to grow its e-commerce business. The company has set an ambitious goal to make 50% of its sales online by 2025, up from around 26% currently (Source: Reuters).
To support this push, IKEA is investing heavily in its digital, fulfillment, and last-mile delivery capabilities. Some notable recent moves:
- Opening more than 50 new "customer fulfillment centers" across the US to facilitate online orders and parcel delivery (Source: Retail Dive)
- Acquiring Fluid Truck, an on-demand truck and van rental startup, to assist with last-mile delivery needs (Source: Modern Retail)
- Launching an AI-powered virtual assistant and 3D room design tool to aid online shopping (Source: IKEA Newsroom)
- Introducing new high-tech warehouse robotics and inventory tracking systems to speed up order processing (Source: Supply Chain Dive)
These investments should help IKEA scale its curbside service and make the process even more seamless for shoppers over time.
I expect we‘ll see more features added to Click & Collect in the coming years, such as:
- Same-day order turnaround
- Expanded product assortment (perhaps including a limited food selection)
- Tighter integration with the IKEA app for order tracking and check-in
- Dynamic pricing or incentives based on pickup time slot to load balance demand
- Geolocation capabilities to automatically alert the store when a customer arrives
Key Takeaways & Expert Tips
To summarize, here are the key things to know about IKEA‘s curbside pickup service:
- Click & Collect ordering is available on most items at most US and Canada locations
- A $5 fee applies to pickup orders under $49
- Customers have a 24-hour window to retrieve orders after the selected time slot
- All online payment methods are accepted, but no in-store exchanges or returns
- Plants, food, custom goods, and as-is items are not eligible for curbside service
And here are my top tips for a smooth Click & Collect experience:
- Always check inventory status online before placing a curbside order
- Schedule your pickup during off-peak hours if possible to avoid potential delays
- Have your order number and ID ready when you arrive to speed up the process
- Double-check your items before leaving the pickup area in case any issues need to be resolved
- Consider signing up for an IKEA Family account to access exclusive discounts and perks
With these insider insights, you‘re well equipped to take full advantage of IKEA‘s convenient curbside service. Happy shopping!
