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IKEA Philippines opens its online store for a test run, closes it after less than 24 hours as the site reaches full capacity
By PINKY S. ICAMEN Published Sep 24, 2021 11:53 am
The much-awaited online store of the Swedish company IKEA was opened on the afternoon of Sept. 23 for a test run. But in the morning of Sept. 24, the platform was closed after it reached its full capacity.
The excitement of IKEA fans may be short-lived but this may be a sign that bigger things are about to happen very soon!
On Sept. 23, IKEA Philippines announced on its Facebook page that its online shopping is already open with limited capacity, much to the excitement of Scandinavian chic fans who have been waiting for the company's swoon-worthy home items to be available for Filipinos.
It has been reported that the company's online operations were to open ahead of the physical store's opening in the fourth quarter of 2021 at the Mall of Asia Complex.
The company previously revealed that IKEA's flagship store in the Philippines, said to be the largest in the world to date, will open nine weeks after the launch of its e-commerce platform.
Recently, it launched a "save to shopping list" option for shoppers once the company starts its e-commerce platform operations.
In the morning of Sept. 24, as the online store reached its full capacity, it prompted shoppers that it is "working to improve our process. Soon we'll be open 24/7."
For those who were able to get in the site on its test run, there were only limited items to choose from but these are definitely "add to cart" worthy.
IKEA PH to offer dishes 'with a Filipino twist,' apart from its iconic meatballs, in its hotly anticipated 850-seat restaurant
Upon checking, there is a swift check out process.
After filling out your details, there is a "services" portion, where you can choose to have your items assembled and choose your delivery option.
If you need to have your item assembled, IKEA will be able to provide that service for a certain amount, depending on the item. Like for the Friheten three-piece sleeper set, the assembly fee is P749.75.
There are also options if you want to have your items picked up at particular "collection points," through truck delivery or parcel delivery for smaller items.
If you prefer truck delivery, you just need to choose a particular date and time and pay the service fee.
Additional fees may apply, like if there is no elevator access to your place that is above the third floor until the fifth floor (P200 per person, additional P100 for units beyond fifth floor).
If you choose to have your items picked up at collection points, its fee depends on the distance. Listed on the site are collection points in Novaliches, Quezon City, Parañaque City, Taguig City, and Valenzuela City.
IKEA will inform you once the items are ready for pickup.
According to the site, the orders you placed will be ready for collection within seven days at these collection points (three days for Metro Manila and seven days outside Metro Manila).
Additional fees apply for orders that are not collected within five days.
Meanwhile, parcel delivery option is also available for smaller items that do not exceed 30 kg. and length and height of 1.8 meters.
Here's what to expect from IKEA Philippines' soon-to-open online store
Parcel deliveries, which start at P170, will take place two to three days within Metro Manila, and three to five days for the greater Manila Area (north and south) from the date of order. Assembly service is not available to parcel deliveries.
Allowed modes of payment at the time of the test run are major credit and debit cards, and G-Cash.
IKEA Philippines' soon-to-open branch at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City has about 65,000 sq.m. of floor space, which is equivalent to 150 basketball courts.
As you get ready to shop at the massive flagship store and online platform once they open soon, head on to the company's online store for now to see what the IKEA has in store for you.
Banner, thumbnail and article photos from ikea.com/ph
TAGS: Furniture ikea philippines
PINKY S. ICAMEN
Pinky is a writer who is game to take a flight to nowhere. She surrenders to the allure of unhurried coffee house culture and is still in search for the best mojito.
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