Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Furniture retailer known for its sprawling stores”
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Answer: IKEA – 4 letters
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Clue number and direction: 4 Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Furniture retailer known for its sprawling stores” is answered with IKEA in 4 letters. In the grid, it appears simply as IKEA.
Why IKEA Is the Right NYT Answer
IKEA is a global furniture retailer famous for its huge, maze‑like warehouse stores, which matches “sprawling stores” perfectly. The clue points to that distinctive big‑box shopping experience, making IKEA the natural fit.
For the February 11, 2026 NYT Mini, 4‑Across is specifically listed with the answer IKEA in multiple solution sources. Its letters also match all crossings from the Down clues, confirming it in the grid.
What IKEA Means
IKEA is an international furniture and home goods chain known for flat‑pack furniture, modern designs, and self‑service warehouse layouts. Many solvers recognize it as the store where you walk through showrooms and pick up boxes from aisles in a huge building.
Because IKEA is widely known and only four letters long, it’s a frequent crossword answer for clues about big furniture retailers or “world’s largest furniture retailer.”
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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Spot brand‑name clues: phrases like “furniture retailer,” “big‑box store,” or “global retailer” often point to short, famous brands such as IKEA.
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Check the letter count: a 4‑letter furniture retailer with sprawling stores almost always means IKEA, not regional chains.
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Use crossings: letters like I‑K‑E‑A are common, so once you have I__A, IKEA should be high on your list.
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Remember recurring brands: IKEA, AVEDA, LEVI, SONY, and KIA show up often in NYT Minis because they’re short and recognizable.
How IKEA Fits the Grid
For 4‑Across on February 11, 2026, the Mini gives you four boxes, which matches IKEA exactly. In pattern form, you’ll see:
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Pattern in grid:
IKEA(I‑K‑E‑A)
Crossings confirm each letter:
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The I crosses with a Down from FINES.
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The K crosses with OKAPI.
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The E crosses with XEROX.
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The A crosses with ACCT.
When all crossings agree, you can lock in IKEA with confidence.
Other Ways IKEA Might Be Clued
IKEA appears in many crosswords with different but related clues, such as:
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“World’s largest furniture retailer”
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“Big‑box furniture chain”
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“Store with flat‑pack couches”
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“Swedish furniture giant”
Any clue emphasizing modern, self‑assembly furniture or sprawling showrooms is very likely pointing to IKEA.
Complete February 11, 2026 NYT Mini Answers Today (Across & Down clues and answers)
Here are the key answers from the February 11, 2026 NYT Mini to help you complete the full grid.
Across
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Flying ___ (kind of bat, despite its name) | FOX | 3 |
| Furniture retailer known for its sprawling stores | IKEA | 4 |
| Drug cops, informally | NARCS | 5 |
| Geological time period spanning several ages | EPOCH | 5 |
| Like F, in the alphabet | SIXTH | 5 |
Down
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Penalties for parking violations | FINES | 5 |
| African mammal whose striped legs resemble a zebra's | OKAPI | 5 |
| Make a copy of | XEROX | 5 |
| Bank customer's holding: Abbr. | ACCT | 4 |
| “Quiet, you!” | SHH | 3 |
