London Is Officially Getting an IKEA
Here's the short version: IKEA Canada is opening its first-ever compact store format in London, Ontario on September 29, 2026, inside the former Hudson's Bay space at White Oaks Mall (1105 Wellington Road).
A few details worth knowing:
- At roughly 43,000 square feet, it's about one-fifth the size of IKEA Burlington — built for quick trips, not all-day furniture hunts.
- It'll stock 2,500+ everyday essentials and seasonal items, plus around 400 furniture pieces available for immediate takeaway from a self-serve warehouse.
- You can still order IKEA's full catalogue in-store, with flexible delivery or pickup.
- Two supporting locations round things out: a Plan and Order Point at 3120 Wonderland Road South (for kitchens and bigger projects) and a pickup location at 1095 Wilton Grove Road for online orders.
- Grand opening day on the 29th will include contests, offers and giveaways.
Why This Matters Beyond Shopping
A retailer like IKEA doesn't pick a city — or a format — by accident. Choosing London for the very first compact store in Canada says something about where this city sits on IKEA's radar: growing population, strong household formation, and a south-London retail corridor (Wellington Road / White Oaks) that's clearly still worth investing in.
For anyone watching London's growth story, that's a useful data point. Retail investment tends to follow rooftops, not the other way around.
It's Also Fair Season
While IKEA news has been the headline, London's other big annual tradition has been running at the same time. I covered the details — dates, what to expect, why it still matters after nearly 150 years — in The 2026 Western Fair Is Here. Worth a read if you haven't caught it yet.
Introducing London Right Now
This is the first episode of a new show I'm building alongside my real estate work. London Right Now isn't a listings show — it's about the city itself: what's opening, what's changing, where London is growing, and the local stories worth knowing about, whether that's development, businesses, neighbourhoods, or the occasional good, bad and ugly of life here.
If you live in London, are thinking about moving here, or just want to keep tabs on the city, subscribe on YouTube — new episodes are coming.
What This Kind of Growth Means If You're Buying or Selling
New retail investment, a growing population, and steady development all feed into the same story: London continues to be a city people are moving into, not just through. If you're weighing a move here, wondering what your current home is worth, or just want a read on where the south end of the city is headed, that's exactly the kind of thing I help people work through every day.
A couple of related guides if you're further along in that process:
- Moving to London, Ontario: A Practical Home Buyer's Guide
- Selling Your Home in London, Ontario: A Practical Seller's Guide
Buying, selling, or just curious what's happening in London? Get in touch — happy to help, no pressure.
Craig Powell, REALTOR® | LPT Realty | 226-235-8625 | craig.powell@londoncastles.ca
