IKEA facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Inter IKEA Systems B.V.

IKEA store in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
Trade name	IKEA
Type	Private
Industry	Retail
Founded	28 July 1943; 81 years ago (1943-07-28) in Sweden
Founder	Ingvar Kamprad
Headquarters	Leiden , Netherlands
Number of locations	462 (2023)
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Jesper Brodin (Chairman and CEO of INGKA Holding) Jon Abrahamsson Ring (Chairman and CEO of the Inter IKEA Holding)
Products	Ready-to-assemble furniture Homeware Food products
Revenue	€44.6 billion (2021)

IKEA is a famous company from Sweden. It sells furniture, kitchen items, decorations, and other things for your home. You might know them for their furniture that you put together yourself.

IKEA was started in 1943 by a 17-year-old named Ingvar Kamprad. Today, it is the biggest furniture seller in the world! The name IKEA comes from Ingvar Kamprad's initials, plus the first letters of his family farm (Elmtaryd) and his nearby village (Agunnaryd) in Sweden.

IKEA is known for its simple, modern furniture designs. They also have a unique way of shopping. You walk through rooms that look like real homes, where you can see how the furniture looks. This helps you imagine it in your own space. IKEA also tries to keep prices low by designing products that are easy to make and ship.

As of 2023, there are 482 IKEA stores in 63 countries. In 2018, IKEA sold goods worth €38.8 billion. The IKEA website has about 12,000 products. Over 2.1 billion people visited IKEA's websites between September 2015 and August 2016.

History of IKEA

IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad (right) shakes hands with Hans Ax, IKEA's first store manager, in 1965.

Map of countries with IKEA stores
Legend:      Current market locations      Future market locations      Former market locations      No current or planned market locations

The world's largest IKEA store is located in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines

IKEA started in 1943 as a mail-order business. Ingvar Kamprad began selling furniture five years later. The first IKEA store opened in Älmhult, Sweden, in 1958. It was called Möbel-IKÉA, which means "furniture-IKEA" in Swedish.

The first stores outside Sweden opened in Norway (1963) and Denmark (1969). In the 1970s, IKEA stores spread to other parts of Europe. The first store outside Scandinavia opened in Switzerland (1973). Then came West Germany (1974), Japan (1974), Australia, Hong Kong (1975), Canada (1976), Singapore, and the Netherlands (1978).

IKEA grew even more in the 1980s. Stores opened in France and Spain (1981), Belgium (1984), the United States (1985), the United Kingdom (1987), and Italy (1989). Germany has the most IKEA stores with 55, followed by the United States with 52.

IKEA opened its first store in Latin America in the Dominican Republic in 2010. In Asia, IKEA opened its first store in India in 2018.

In November 2021, IKEA opened its largest store in the world. It is located in the Philippines and is about 65,000 square meters big.

In March 2022, IKEA announced it would close all 17 of its stores in Russia. This was due to the conflict in Ukraine. IKEA later said it would sell its factories and reduce its staff in Russia.

IKEA was also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many stores had to close temporarily. Because of this, IKEA stopped printing its yearly catalogue after 70 years. Product prices also went up in 2022 due to rising costs.

In August 2022, IKEA opened its first store in Chile, which was its first in South America. Another store opened in Colombia in September 2023.

First IKEA Store Openings by Country

IKEA Store Layouts

Interior of an IKEA store in Hong Kong

The self-service warehouse area

IKEA stores are usually blue buildings with yellow parts, like the Swedish flag. They often have a special one-way path. This path guides customers through the whole store. It helps you see everything IKEA offers. There are also shortcuts if you want to go to a specific area faster.

First, you walk through the furniture showrooms. These look like real rooms, such as living rooms or bedrooms. You can see how the furniture looks and try it out. Then, you go to the "Market Hall" for smaller items like decorations. Finally, you pick up your flat-pack furniture from the self-service warehouse. You pay for everything at the cash register.

IKEA store in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Most IKEA stores have the showroom upstairs. The marketplace and warehouse are usually downstairs. Some stores are all on one level. Others have separate warehouses to hold more products.

Many IKEA stores have an "as-is" or "bargain corner" area. This is now called the "circular hub." Here, you can find returned, damaged, or display products at a lower price.

Different Store Sizes

Most IKEA stores are outside city centers. This is because land is cheaper there. However, IKEA has also tried smaller stores in cities.

For example, in Japan, IKEA learned that people didn't have much space. So, they designed room displays that looked like typical Japanese apartments. This helped customers imagine the furniture in their homes.

In China, IKEA stores are often closer to public transport. This is because many customers don't have cars. Some "mini-IKEA" stores are even in downtown shopping centers.

In places like Hong Kong, where space is very expensive, IKEA has opened smaller stores in multi-story buildings. These stores are still large for Hong Kong, but smaller than typical IKEA stores.

IKEA at Mall Taman Anggrek, Jakarta

In 2020, IKEA opened one of its smallest stores in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was about 2,137 square meters. They also opened a store in Harajuku, Tokyo, which has the chain's first "konbini" (convenience store) concept. In 2021, IKEA opened a small store in Singapore. It was the first in Southeast Asia without a "Market Hall" warehouse.

Products and Services

Furniture and Home Items

A man assembling an IKEA Poäng chair

Much of IKEA's furniture comes in flat-packs. This means you put it together yourself. IKEA says this helps save money and packaging. It also makes it easier to transport.

IKEA tries to be sustainable. They call their approach "democratic design." This means they make products that are affordable and use resources wisely. For example, they use a lot of "particle board" (MDF), which is made from wood chips.

Some famous IKEA furniture items include the Poäng armchair, the Billy bookcase, and the Klippan sofa. Millions of these have been sold.

IKEA has also worked with LEGO to create storage solutions for kids and adults. In 2021, IKEA Canada made special "Love Seats" inspired by different Pride flags.

Naming IKEA Products

IKEA products have unique one-word names, mostly from the Swedish language. The founder, Ingvar Kamprad, had dyslexia. He found it easier to remember products by names instead of long codes.

Sometimes, these Swedish names can sound funny or strange in other languages. For example, a computer desk was called jerker, and a plant spray was called fukta (meaning "moisten"). A workbench was named fartfull (meaning "speedy").

Some products are named after real places. For example, a toilet brush is named after Lake Bolmen in Sweden. In 2021, VisitSweden.com even launched a fun campaign. It invited tourists to visit the real places that share names with IKEA products.

Design Services

The first US Planning Studio located in Manhattan, United States, in 2019, which closed in January 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, IKEA used new ways to help customers with design. In Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, they used a paperless system for design appointments.

In March 2021, IKEA launched the IKEA Studio app with Apple. This app lets you design rooms with IKEA furniture using augmented reality on your iPhone. You can see how furniture would look in your home before you buy it.

Smart Home Products

In 2016, IKEA started selling smart home products. Their TRÅDFRI smart lighting kit was one of the first. They also partnered with Philips Hue. IKEA also sells furniture with wireless charging built-in.

IKEA has also teamed up with Sonos to make smart speakers. These speakers, called SYMFONISK, can be used with other Sonos devices. They can also be controlled with IKEA's Home Smart app. This app lets you control lights, air purifiers, and smart blinds too.

Houses and Solar Panels

IKEA has even sold flat-pack houses and apartments called BoKlok. This project started in Sweden in 1996. It aims to make homes more affordable for first-time buyers.

IKEA also sells solar panel packages for homes. These "residential kits" help people use clean energy. The company aims to use only renewable energy for its own operations.

Furniture Rental

In 2019, IKEA started testing a new idea: renting furniture. This helps reduce waste, as IKEA products are sometimes seen as "disposable." Renting furniture means it can be used more times before being recycled. This also makes furniture more affordable and convenient.

Restaurants and Food Markets

An IKEA Bistro in Hong Kong

Swedish Food Market

IKEA restaurant in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada

Swedish meatballs

The first IKEA store in 1958 had a small cafe. By 1960, it became a full restaurant. IKEA restaurants sell Swedish foods like meatballs, gravy, and lingonberry jam. They also have a food market where you can buy these items.

The menu changes based on the country. For example, you might find shawarma in Saudi Arabia or poutine in Canada. In Indonesia, the meatballs are made to be halal. In Israel, the restaurants serve kosher food.

Many IKEA restaurants open before the main store. They serve breakfast. All food is based on Swedish recipes. Food sales make up about 5% of IKEA's total sales.

IKEA also sells plant-based meatballs made from potatoes, apples, pea protein, and oats. They also tested vegan hot dogs.

Småland Play Area

Every IKEA store has a children's play area called Småland. This name means "small lands" in Swedish. It's also the name of the region in Sweden where Ingvar Kamprad was born. Parents can drop off their children to play while they shop. Staff will call parents if their child needs them.

Other Ventures

A MEGA Family Shopping Centre in Russia

Until 2023, IKEA owned and operated the MEGA Family Shopping Centre malls in Russia. These have since been sold.

IKEA also had a mobile phone network in the UK called IKEA Family Mobile. It stopped operating in 2015.

IKEA has partnered with TCL to sell TVs and entertainment systems. They also planned to open economy hotels in Europe. However, as of 2018, they only owned one hotel in Sweden.

IKEA has also sold a bicycle called the Sladda. In 2017, IKEA bought the company TaskRabbit, which helps people find others to do tasks.

In 2020, IKEA Hong Kong partnered with Pizza Hut. They launched a side table that looked like a pizza saver. The instructions even suggested ordering a Swedish meatball pizza from Pizza Hut!

Environmental Efforts

Yellow IKEA recyclable shopping bag

LED lamp display at an IKEA in Hong Kong

IKEA has worked hard to be more environmentally friendly. They have made many changes to their products and operations.

Some of their environmental actions include:

• Stopping the use of certain plastics like PVC in many products.
• Reducing the use of chemicals like formaldehyde.
• Making chairs from 100% recycled plastic.
• Using wood from forests that are managed responsibly.
• Using only recyclable materials for packaging.
• Offering rental bicycles with trailers for customers in Denmark.

IKEA also has a code of conduct for its suppliers. This code covers social, safety, and environmental rules. Auditors check that suppliers follow these rules.

IKEA aims to make its products sustainable throughout their entire life. Products are designed to be flat-packed and easy to recycle. They use sustainable raw materials, especially wood and cotton. IKEA stores recycle waste and many use renewable energy. They also train employees in environmental responsibility.

Energy and Wood Sources

IKEA has invested a lot in renewable energy. They have a venture capital fund called IKEA GreenTech. It invests in companies that focus on solar panels, energy efficiency, and water saving.

IKEA owns wind farms in the US and Finland. In 2019, they announced they would invest $2.8 billion in renewable energy. Their goal is to make their entire supply chain climate positive by 2030.

IKEA is the world's largest buyer of wood. They claim that almost all the wood they use is recycled or meets Forest Stewardship Council standards. This means it comes from responsibly managed forests. IKEA owns large areas of forest in the US and Europe.

IKEA has also changed how they ship products. They used to use a lot of wood for pallets. Now, they use paper pallets and a system called "Optiledge" made from recycled plastic. This reduces wood use and makes shipping more efficient.

Packaging and Electric Vehicles

Since 2013, IKEA has stopped giving out plastic bags. Instead, they sell reusable bags. Their restaurants use reusable plates and cutlery. Some toilets in IKEA stores have dual-flush systems to save water. IKEA also has recycling bins for light bulbs and batteries.

IKEA has also added electric car charging points for customers at its stores. Since 2016, IKEA only sells energy-efficient LED light bulbs. These bulbs use much less power than old incandescent bulbs.

IKEA's Donations

IKEA is involved in many charitable causes around the world. They often partner with organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children.

Here are some examples of their donations:

• After the 2004 tsunami, IKEA Australia donated money and sales from their blue bags to help.
• After the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, IKEA gave 500,000 blankets.
• They have provided furniture for schools in Liberia.
• After the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China, IKEA Beijing sold a toy to raise money for children affected.
• In 2013, IKEA donated over $2.6 million to UNICEF to help families affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
• In 2022, IKEA donated €20 million to UNHCR to help Ukrainians affected by the conflict.
• IKEA also donated €10 million to Doctors Without Borders for their work in Syria after the 2023 earthquake.

IKEA Social Initiative

In 2005, IKEA created the IKEA Social Initiative. This group manages the company's charity work worldwide. Its main partners are UNICEF and Save the Children.

IKEA Social Initiative has become UNICEF's largest corporate partner. They have committed over $180 million to help children. For example, they donate money from each soft toy sold during the holidays. They also donate solar-powered lamps for every one sold in stores.

Marketing and Advertising

IKEA Catalogue

IKEA used to publish a yearly catalogue. It was first printed in Swedish in 1951. This catalogue was IKEA's main way of marketing. At its peak in 2016, 200 million copies were printed in 32 languages. However, in December 2020, IKEA announced they would stop printing the catalogue. The 2021 edition was the last one.

IKEA Family Card

IKEA has a free loyalty card called "IKEA Family." It gives customers discounts on certain products. IKEA also publishes a magazine called IKEA Family Live for cardholders.

IKEA Place App

In 2017, IKEA launched the "IKEA Place" app. This app uses augmented reality to help you see IKEA products in your home. You can place virtual furniture in your room to see how it looks before buying.

Advertising Campaigns

IKEA has had many memorable advertisements. In 1994, they ran a commercial in the United States that featured a gay couple. This was one of the first ads to do so. Other IKEA commercials have also aimed to be inclusive.

In 2002, IKEA's "Lamp" commercial won many awards. It showed a woman throwing out an old lamp, and then someone comforting the lamp.

IKEA has also partnered with video games. In 2008, they teamed up with The Sims 2 to create a "stuff pack" with IKEA products.

In 2008, a subway train in Novosibirsk, Russia, was decorated in IKEA style. It looked like a mobile showroom. In Paris, IKEA displayed furniture in Métro stations.

In 2017, IKEA launched the "IKEA Human Catalogue" campaign. A memory champion memorized the entire 328-page catalogue. They then answered questions about it live. This campaign won many awards.

In 2020, IKEA ran a "Buy Back Friday" campaign. Instead of encouraging people to buy new items, they offered to buy back old furniture. This promoted giving furniture a new life.

Criticisms of IKEA

IKEA has faced some criticism over the years.

Environmental Concerns

IKEA is the world's largest user of wood for commercial products. They use about 1% of the world's timber supply. IKEA says that almost all their wood is recycled or certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. However, some reports have suggested that IKEA has been involved in using wood from protected forests in Eastern European countries.

Images for kids

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  IKEA store in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

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  IKEA logo

See also

In Spanish: IKEA para niños