Ikea China announced on January 7 that it will close seven stores across China starting February 2, 2026. The affected locations are Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Nantong, Xuzhou, Ningbo, and Harbin. This move marks a strategic shift from large-scale expansion to targeted development. The company will focus on opening smaller stores, with plans to launch more than 10 such outlets over the next two years, prioritizing the Beijing and Shenzhen markets. As of the end of fiscal 2024, Ikea operated 39 stores in mainland China.