Axios Phoenix
April 07, 2026
1 big thing: Strip-mall Ikea
Arizona's newest Ikea will have the meatballs, the iconic showroom and a grab-and-go marketplace, but it won't take you an hour to peruse.
What it matters: Phoenix residents have been clamoring for another, more central Ikea for decades.
- Tomorrow, they'll get one — albeit less than a quarter of the size of the Swedish retailer's Tempe superstore.
State of play: The small-format store, Ikea's first of its kind in the Valley, will be in a strip mall near Cactus Road and Tatum Boulevard, across from the Paradise Valley Mall redevelopment.
- The new concept is part of the company's $2.2 billion U.S. expansion plan to open smaller stores in more places.
Zoom in: I got a chance to scope it out before the opening. Here's how it compares to the Tempe store.
🔵 What's the same: The experience feels classically Ikea.
- The food court has a smaller menu, but maintains the staples, including Swedish meatballs, veggie dogs and cinnamon buns.
- There are arrows on the ground to guide you through the showroom, and you're encouraged to follow them through the entire store before reaching the checkout.
- There's a "second life" section where retired showroom items and returns are sold as-is at steep discounts.
🟡 What's different: It's in a strip mall, not a stand-alone warehouse with a vast parking lot. Other changes were more subtle.
- There's a central planning area where staff can help you design any part of your home (at traditional Ikeas, planning is done by room throughout the store).
- Only about 3,000 of the 4,000 items on display are available to buy on-site. The rest can be ordered for delivery or pickup;
- You can get through the entire store in less than 15 minutes.
The intrigue: At 75,000 square feet, it's about half the size of a Target.
- But inside, it felt huge. The arrows kept going through mocked-up kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms and I was impressed how the designers packed so much in without it feeling cramped or disorganized.
What's next: The grand opening is at 9:30am Wednesday, with gift card giveaways, free cinnamon buns and other festivities beginning at 8am.
2. Arizonans tip better than average
Arizonans are slightly better tippers than the average American, according to Toast data.
State of play: The average Arizonan tipped 19.1% in the last quarter of 2025.
- The national average was 18.8% — 19.2% at full-service restaurants and 15.8% at fast food joints.
The fine print: The report is based on data from restaurants using the Toast platform.
- Cash tips aren't included.
The bottom line: Tipping culture may be under scrutiny, but diners' habits are holding steady.
3. Chips & salsa: Colorado River cuts coming
4. 🏀 Our March Madness champions
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