SPECULATION is rife that Swedish flat pack giant Ikea is opening a store in Midland.

Rumours are swirling Ikea will take over the Bunnings store along Great Eastern Highway if a proposal for the hardware chain to open a mega store at the old saleyards in Midland come to fruition.

Ikea currently owns 10 stores in Australia. But by 2030 the number is expected to increase to 40.

Camera Icon Bunnings in Midland. Photo: David Baylis Credit: Supplied / Supplied

That number could be even greater if other smaller format stores are opened inside shopping centres.

An Ikea spokeswoman said plans had not yet been confirmed to open a store in Midland.

“Ikea is always exploring opportunities to expand and be more accessible to more people, however we do not currently have confirmed plans to open a store in Midland,” she said.

Last month Ikea opened its first small format store in Sydney to give shoppers a new Ikea experience with plans to open more across Australia.

The mini stores focus on a particular part of the home, such as a complete kitchen or bedroom renovation and allow shoppers to view showrooms and order from touchscreen kiosks.

The move is aimed at bringing the home furnishing business, traditionally located on large destination sites on the edges of cities, closer to the suburbs.

Ikea Australia country manager Jan Gardberg said the company was responding to consumer demand for new and more convenient ways to shop their favourite products.

“We’re excited to be bringing bespoke Ikea shopping experiences to Aussies around the country in locations that suit them,” he said.

Bunnings property director Andrew Marks would not confirm whether a new mega store in Midland was in the pipeline however the company may consider relocating its Midland store in the future should the right opportunity become available.