Retail Week understands that Ikea has bolstered its UK property team by bringing staff in from the wider business and hopes to purchase the freehold of at least one shopping centre in Greater London and is eyeing others nationwide.

The retailer aims to take advantage of the falling valuations of many shopping centres which it sees as an opportunity to open in more central, convenient locations.

One source familiar with Ikea’s thinking suggested that it may be seeking to emulate the approach Primark took with its new Birmingham store, which opened to great fanfare earlier in the year.