It is common knowledge that furniture is the heart of every household since it defines not only the appearance but the livability of various spaces of a home. Whether you’re looking for good furnitures for a perfect sitting room or settling for an effective workplace, it is good to know where you can find some of the best furniture. But who has remained on top of professional furniture sales and has the most shares as a corporate company. Well, that can be attributed to one of the most respected organizations in the world: IKEA.

IKEA: From a small Swedish company to the world’s leading furniture and home furnishing retailer

IKEA has transformed its business from a modest simple mail order company in Sweden in 1943 into the biggest furniture retailer in the world operating more than 450 stores in 62 countries. Funded on the concept of inexpensive and fashionable self-assembled housing elements, IKEA has enabled thousands of consumers over the world to arrange their desired houses according to their wishes without spending too much.

What Differentiates IKEA from its Competitors?

There are several aspects of IKEA which are the reasons why it has achieved tremendous success operating in different countries. Let’s get deeper on this Swedish monopoly and what makes them the emperor of furniture retail.

Practical Yet Chic Furniture

One of the key objectives of the company IKEA is that they can sell their furniture at a low price without compromising on the aesthetics. Since IKEA’s products are offered in form of flat packed furniture, this reduces the cost of production and cost of sending the products, hence, cheaper prices for customers. From simple Scandinavian furniture to bold designs, the brand will always have something for everyone.

Actionable Tip: IKEA is known for their sales and discounts so look for seasonal sales and sale items. If you’re lucky and love certain pieces, you can frequently boost those with additional promos.

Space-saving Packs.

One of the developments of IKEA that made a huge change in the furniture market is the concept of flat-pack furniture. Apart from enhancing the effectiveness of transport, this also makes it possible for the customers to install the products on their own in the comfort of their homes. This hands-on approach is what attracts customers to the IKEA brand since they feel that they are part of the solution.

Example: One of the IKEA’s most known flat-pack item is the BILLY bookcase which is always a must-have for its buyers. Thanks to its clear form and low cost it has become the number one seller all over the world which shows that having stylish furniture does not need intricate setups and installations.

Actionable Tip: Ways to Use If the ideas presented seem unwieldy, IKEA offers the option of using additional paid coloring services to finish the furniture. It’s a perfect solution, when you are in a time constraint or are not such a fan of furniture assembly.

Environmental conservation Undertakings

IKEA has made sustainability an element of its core value. All the company’s goods would be manufactured using renewable or recycled materials by the year 2030, making them a fully circular business. They intend to minimize their carbon emissions and provide green furniture.

Example: Gärsnäs oksörsköykahu NUNGSBACKA, IKEA’s KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts, is made of reused wood and plastic bottles, which affirms what the company stands for.

Actionable Tip: While buying furniture check out IKEA’s sustainable living range of products with the “People & Planet Positive” banner. These products are made to be more ‘eco-friendly’ resource utilization efficient, without losing the aesthetics or utility.

Lack of Traditional Showroom Approach

An IKEA store is not just a store for purchasing goods, it is much more. Their winding plan leads the customer through the means of rooms complete with furnishings so as to facilitate the buyers in picturing how the said products may appear like when used within a typical house. It is a clever tactic that not only displays their products but also creates a desire for them.

Actionable Tip: If you are at the IKEA store, remember to take pictures and write down notes as you progress through the different showrooms. This comes in handy when you reach the warehouse, and you are picking the different products that you had chosen on the floor.

Most customers prefer going online for finding complete information about IKEA however, it takes time for people to examine the products in detail since this is a basic requirement in every sales channel.

I have interacted with a lot of customers rather than salespeople through social networks where I provide such opportunities for enhancing interior design. I can design rooms and see how the furniture will look. I can place furniture in various views to see where it will best fit.

The IKEA Effect Research

IKEA is without a doubt a main player in the furniture industry and the furniture itself as a world. With a focus on price, design, and environment-friendly materials, IKEA has redefined the way most people expect to be treated by furniture retailers. IKEA initiatives fill the gaps of the consumer’s balance whether entering college or high school or even getting a recession and wishing to redecorate the failed living room.

Additionally, the company has not lagged behind competitors as it has responded positively to market trends such as the demand for eco-friendly and better looking furniture with options for mass customization. IKEA’s flat pack and a focus on sustainability is now being widely adopted by furniture brand other markets, showing that IKEA has impact on the industry in a long-term basis.

What’s Next for IKEA?

Even though it’s the world’s biggest furniture seller, IKEA does not sit still and constantly brings new ideas. Their commitment to the environment, creative affordability, and novel approaches in the provision of shopping experiences such as augmented reality will see them remain aforce within the industry. With such plans, IKEA is naturally going to transform homes looks as well as the furniture retailing that the organisation aims to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Conclusion: The Legacy of IKEA and Its Importance

It is not by surprise therefore that IKEA is the largest retailer of furniture in the world. Be it the flat-packed furniture that does not hurt pocket, or the green way of furnishing the home,considering Ikey has always considered itself a game changer in the furniture industry. It does not matter whether you are moving into a new house or just want to redecorate, most countries can expect IKEA to be the first stop because of their good quality and cheap products.

Next time you are stepping into an IKEA shop or even going through their catalogs off a computer screen, keep in mind the effort and creativity that has been put into any product. A brand that is able to reach all corners of the world and embark on promoting the proper, reasonable and responsible furniture design has earned itself a crown in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is IKEA the largest furniture retailer in the world?

A: It is easy to see how IKEA has been able to become a leading furniture retailer in the entire globe, with over 4500 stores situated in 62 countries, by taking advantage of low prices stylish designs and sustainability.

Q: What are the advantages of IKEA’s flat-pack system for the customers?

A: Flat pack furniture by IKEA is more affordable, since these are cheaper to manufacture as well as to ship to customers. It also eases the process of customers doing the assembly themselves at home.

Q: Has the IKEA thriumphed to the commitment of the principle of environmental sustainability?

A: Yes, it is possible, as by then IKEA intends to be a circular business selling 100% of all products made from renewable and recyclable materials and retaining zero CO2 emissions.

Q: What are the most popular, best-selling items offered at IKEA?

A: IKEA’s two of most iconic and top selling products the BILLY bookcase and KALLAX shelving unit remain very affordable as well as functional in usage, forever standing up on public demand.

Q: Is it possible to order IKEA’s products on the Internet?

A: Indeed, in the Internet there is complete catalogue of IKEA so one can observe the catalog and order for their goods to be delivered and even advertise to collect the goods at certain points.