Retail real estate has undergone profound changes over the decades. What began as simple shopping hubs centered around hypermarkets has since evolved into complex, multi-purpose destinations designed to offer much more than just commerce. But even those “meeting places” are no longer enough in a world where customer expectations and demands have shifted dramatically. Today, both retailers and the spaces they occupy must be more dynamic, agile, and capable of delivering unique, value-driven experiences.
RETAIL THAT RESONATES
Customers today are no longer satisfied with one-size-fits-all shopping centers. They crave localized, personalized experiences that reflect their values. Many traditional retail spaces fall short by becoming carbon copies of each other, offering the same stores and services without considering local flavor or individual community needs.
That’s where Ingka Centres Futures steps in. It’s a platform designed to answer the urgent call for retail spaces that break the mold, crafting environments that people want to return to. Recognizing that the modern customer is hungry for authenticity, innovation, and connection, the initiative sets out to reimagine what a meeting place can be. On top of being a space to shop, it becomes a place to live, work, eat, and play.
A PLATFORM FOR COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION
At its core, Ingka Centres Futures is about co-creation. As Gertjan Dieleman, Innovation & Development Manager at Ingka Centres puts it, “Ingka Centres Futures is our platform for co-creation and innovation. It’s where we partner with other companies to build exciting experiences and sustainable business models – and where we test and create new solutions together.” Recognizing that no single organization holds all the answers, Ingka Centres is seeking other ambitious companies, from local startups to global brands, to join them in designing the next generation of retail experiences. “We couldn’t have dreamed up these ideas on our own,” says Max Reumark, New Business & Innovation Manager at Ingka Centres, referring to the concepts that are already in operation. “It’s a result of co-creation. Where different people and perspectives meet and create something new.” By pooling resources, knowledge, and creativity, Ingka Centres and its collaborators can create something truly special – experiences that resonate with today’s consumers and anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s.
WHAT INGKA CENTRES OFFERS ITS PARTNERS
For companies looking to get ahead in retail, the question is simple: Why partner with Ingka Centres Futures? The answer lies in the platform’s unique blend of opportunities.Firstly, Ingka Centres provides access to some of the world’s most high-traffic locations, with over 350 million annual visits across their IKEA-anchored meeting places. This massive foot traffic offers partners the chance to scale and test their concepts in spaces that are already primed for success. Beyond the numbers, Ingka Centres brings extensive retail expertise and a track record of transforming traditional shopping into something far more engaging. The company’s commitment to innovation ensures that its partners can operate smarter, convert better, and ultimately sell more. It’s not just about space – it’s about creating an ecosystem that helps businesses thrive.
CREATING PLACES THAT PEOPLE WANT TO VISIT AGAIN AND AGAIN
Take, for example, the Saluhall concept – Ingka Centres’ take on the Scandinavian market hall. “Saluhall encapsulates how we see the future of food for the masses, which, for us, means local, affordable, playful, and sustainable,” says Stéphane Keulian, F&B Concept Development Leader. More than a place to eat, it’s a space designed for people to meet over good food, good drinks, and even better conversation. Meanwhile, Circuit is a circular consumption concept that brings planet-friendly shopping to the masses, making sustainability accessible to everyone. Then, there’s Hej!Workshop – a flexible workspace that fits into peoples’ lives, not the other way around.
These concepts, born out of collaboration, are precisely the kind of innovative ideas that Ingka Centres Futures aims to foster and scale. Each one redefines what a retail space can be, turning it from a transactional space into a vibrant community hub.
SPACE FOR EVERYONE
Whether you’re a local or a multinational company, Ingka Centres Futures offers flexible, scalable opportunities for everyone who joins their global network. As Sofi Nilsson, Concept & Customer Experience Designer, explains, “Collaboration is key for the future of our meeting places. It brings in different perspectives by inviting our partners, our communities, and our customers. That way, we can ensure that we are creating meaningful and relevant spaces for the future.” It’s this blending of ideas, across sectors and business sizes, that makes Ingka Centres Futures such a powerful platform for innovation.
THE FUTURE IS CO-CREATED
Ingka Centres Futures is a movement toward the future of retail – a future that can’t be built alone. It’s about taking the best of what businesses have to offer and combining it with the expertise, resources, and locations that Ingka Centres brings to the table. Together, we can imagine ideas that none of us could dream up alone.
If your business is ready to co-create the future of retail, Ingka Centres Futures is ready to collaborate.
Gertjan Dieleman
Gertjan Dieleman is the Innovation & Development Manager at Ingka Centres
Max Reumark
Max Reumark is the New Business & Innovation Manager at Ingka Centres
Sofi Nilsson
Sofi Nilsson is a Concept & Customer Experience Designer at Ingka Centres
Stéphane Keulian
Stéphane Keulian is F&B Concept Development Leader at Ingka Centres
