Swedish furniture giant Ikea could be close to opening a new outlet in Aberdeen.
The firm has not confirmed the move but the Press and Journal understands it has been talking to another retailer with a view to sharing space on the south side of the city.
Ikea is believed to have either agreed in principle or be very close to striking a deal to set up shop in the giant Makro site off Wellington Road.
Aberdeen is likely to be just one of three UK locations for new order and collection point stores, similar to the Argos model.
Yesterday, a spokesman for the firm said: “Over the next year, Ikea will test three order and collection points in the UK, exploring slightly different formats in each selected market and using this as an opportunity to find out more about how customers want to shop with Ikea in these areas.
“The first order and collection point will open in Norwich this autumn.
“Regarding other locations, we are exploring potential sites across the UK for the next two test formats. We have not yet secured any of these sites and have nothing further to confirm at this stage.”
Booker Group, which owns wholesaler Makro, did not to respond when asked to confirm the move yesterday.
Announcing the expansion plans earlier this week, Ikea UK country manager Gillian Drakeford said: “We know that consumers in the UK like to shop across many channels and use multiple devices.
“Our customers are also telling us that with 18 stores in the UK, we are often too far away. Order and collection points give us the opportunity to trial new ways of being more accessible.
“We are hoping to bridge the gap between online and in-store shopping and offer customers a more personal service locally.”
The Norwich branch will be designed like a planning studio, where customers can get advice from home furnishing experts before making more complex purchases such as kitchens or wardrobes.
People will be able to touch and test the product range and collect orders made online or in the store. The outlet will also include a cafe and will have a limited range of products that customers can buy and take home straight away.
Ikea has previously insisted it had no plans to come north of the central belt, citing low population density as the reason, however large numbers of shoppers regularly make the trip south to the Edinburgh store.