Fans of Ikea wait in line ahead of the store's official opening by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
As Christmas edges closer local moving companies are rushed off their feet shuttling goods from Ikea to customers after the giant retailer was hit by delivery and click-and-collect delays in opening weeks.
In a statement shared to its website, the Swedish retailer said its fulfilment services “are currently unavailable”after sales and orders exceeded expectations following the opening of its Sylvia Park store and online operations on December 4.
The pressure has intensified in the weeks after opening, with click-and-collect services shut down over the weekend as the company worked to clear a mounting backlog.
“As a brand‑new team, we are learning quickly and adapting our operations to meet this incredible level of demand, and we are working around the clock to secure optimal operations as soon as possible,” Ikea said.
Customers have since taken to the Facebook group Ikea NZ Fans, which has over 74,000 members, to compare their experiences.
Ikea has halted its click-and-collect and delivery services nationwide to clear a mounting backlog. Photo / Corey Fleming
“Anyone else order early on opening day but heard nothing? Was estimated to be delivered December 9 but have heard zilch‚” one user wrote yesterday, later adding they were told it could be several weeks’ wait.
Others reported more severe disruptions, with one customer writing: “They cancelled all three of my orders. They even cancelled the only one that was actually picked and ready for collection”.
While some shoppers face delays, the disruption has had flow-on effects for small moving companies offering their own delivery services.
Hosh Singh, owner-operator of Auckland Movers Cheap, told the Herald his business saw a sharp increase in calls from Ikea customers last week.
“Customers were complaining because there was a wait until January, and they wanted their items picked up before Christmas,” he said.
Small businesses like Auckland Movers Cheap are being asked to pick up last-minute orders from Ikea ahead of Christmas. Photo / Annaleise Shortland
“It’s already a busy season, but I think it has impacted our business and increased our sales.”
Singh said some customers were going as far as cancelling their orders altogether after being given later-than-expected delivery dates.
“One customer mentioned they actually ordered and paid for the items, but then they were told that the items cannot be delivered before January 11,” he said.
“They had to go back to the store to purchase the items and get a full refund.”
The delays were likely to continue into the new year as teething issues were ironed out, driven by strong interest in the retailer’s New Zealand debut combined with the rise in pre-Christmas retail spending.
“There was a huge marketing campaign [from Ikea]. It’s also Christmas, ” Singh said.
