Dear citizens of Barrie,

We are calling upon the residents of Barrie, Ontario to join us in urging Ikea, the renowned Swedish furniture retailer, to open a warehouse store in our city. This petition aims to highlight the immense benefits that an Ikea store would bring to our community and its residents.

1. Economic Growth: Opening an Ikea warehouse store in Barrie would significantly contribute to our local economy. According to a study conducted by Civic Economics, for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 remains within the community compared to only $43 when spent at non-local businesses. By bringing an Ikea store here, we can keep more money circulating within Barrie and support local job creation.

2. Job Opportunities: An Ikea warehouse store would create numerous employment opportunities for our residents. These jobs range from retail positions such as sales associates and cashiers to logistics roles like warehouse workers and delivery drivers. With over 200 stores worldwide employing approximately 211,000 people (Ikea Annual Report FY20), opening an Ikea location in Barrie could provide much-needed employment opportunities for our community members.

3. Convenience for Residents: Currently, residents of Barrie have limited access to affordable furniture options without having to travel long distances or order online with potential shipping costs. Having an Ikea warehouse store right here in our city would make it easier for us all to furnish our homes affordably while saving time and money on transportation.

4. Positive Impact on Small Businesses: Contrary to popular belief that large retailers harm small businesses, studies have shown that when big-box retailers like Ikea enter a new market area they can actually benefit local small businesses by attracting more customers overall (The New York Times). The increased foot traffic generated by an Ikea store could potentially drive more customers towards nearby local shops and restaurants in Barrie.

By signing this petition today, you are expressing your support for bringing an Ikea warehouse store to Barrie, Ontario. Together, we can demonstrate the strong demand and potential benefits that such a store would bring to our community.

Let's make Barrie a more vibrant and convenient city by welcoming Ikea with open arms!

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

J.F.