IO Metro

IO Metro began in 2005 in Bentonville, Arkansas, as a retailer specializing in contemporary furniture and home décor. The company quickly built a reputation for offering modern furnishings and distinctive accessories, with a curated selection sourced from around the world. IO Metro’s stores were known for combining accessible design with personalized service, and by 2015, the brand operated 18 locations across seven states in the South and Midwest, including Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

A significant milestone in IO Metro’s history occurred in January 2016, when the company was acquired by Dufresne Spencer Group, a leading operator of Ashley Furniture HomeStore locations. Following this acquisition, IO Metro’s stores were gradually rebranded or closed, and its design-driven approach and select product lines were integrated into the parent company’s portfolio. As of November 2025, IO Metro no longer operates standalone stores and its website is inactive.

Over the past five years, IO Metro transitioned from an independent regional retailer to becoming part of a larger national furniture group. This evolution reflects broader trends in the furniture sector, where consolidation and brand integration have shaped retail footprints and tenant mixes in shopping centers. IO Metro’s former presence in high-traffic retail corridors and lifestyle centers, along with its emphasis on design and regional clustering, offers insight into how specialty retail concepts can drive traffic and enhance the appeal of mid-market retail properties. The brand’s legacy continues through its influence on regional furniture retail and its integration into Dufresne Spencer Group’s offerings.