IKEA Stoughton and Zipcar Team to Create Unique Car Sharing Program
IKEA Stoughton becomes very first major U.S. retail store to embrace car sharing
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. Eight — Even tho’ IKEA Stoughton is approximately twenty miles from Boston, people who live and work in the city may feel as if the world’s leading home furnishings retailer is as close as the end of their street. Zipcar, the nation’s largest provider of on-demand cars for use by the hour or day, today announced a fresh program with IKEA Stoughton to incorporate the country’s leading car sharing practice as an integral part of the fresh store, making IKEA Stoughton accessible to ems of thousands of Massachusetts residents and businesses without cars and helping to reduce traffic and car emissions and maximize parking.
With the partnership, IKEA Stoughton becomes the very first major U.S. retail store to reserve parking spaces for car sharing vehicles. As part of IKEA Stoughton’s commitment to car sharing, five spaces in the store’s parking lot will be reserved as “Zipcar Only” catches sight of. Six IKEA-branded Zipcars will also be placed at Zipcar locations across Greater Boston and made available to all Zipcar members at a discount. Additionally, Zipcar members will love special benefits, such as one free dinner in the store restaurant for each one purchased. As the program proceeds to evolve and expand over time, Zipcar members will also be invited to participate in special IKEA events and promotions not available to the public.
IKEA will also become Zipcar’s latest Z2B (Zipcar for Business) client, joining over 50,000 private and business drivers across the country who have turned to Zipcar as a means of having transportation freedom without the costs and hassles of car ownership.
“With Zipcar, we are reaching a portion of our customers who either do not have a means of transportation to shop at IKEA Stoughton or are utilizing this service to help conserve the environment. Not only is this a good way to reach customers, our 500+ coworkers will also benefit from this program for business and individual use,” said Frank Briel, Store Manager.
“Both IKEA and Zipcar share a larger mission — improving the environment and advocating for positive switch in our communities,” said Zipcar CEO Scott Griffith. “IKEA’s pioneering partnership is a powerful example of how a leading retailer can enhance life for urban residents and employees. Everyone at Zipcar looks forward to playing an significant role in their growth and success.”
With Zipcar’s technology, accessing and using a Zipcar is as effortless as getting cash from an ATM. In minutes or up to a year in advance, members can reserve Zipcars online or by phone, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Zipcar members have automated access to Zipcars using a “Zipcard” to simply unlock the door and drive away. Rates for these special hourly-only, IKEA branded Zipcars will embark at $6.00 per hour, with gas, parking, insurance and XM Satellite Radio service included. To join Zipcar, members simply need to have a valid driver’s license, be 21+, meet safe driving standards and have desire to pack their home with good furniture.