What Is IKEA? (What Is It Known For, How Is It Different, Type Of Store + More)

With stores worldwide, IKEA is one of the best-known furniture companies. With various furniture, storage, and home décor options available both in-store and online, IKEA aims to keep its prices low for customers.

If you haven’t heard of IKEA before, you may be wondering what IKEA sells, what its company is about, and what makes it different from other retailers. I’ve looked into it, and here’s what I’ve learned about IKEA!

What Is IKEA In 2024?

IKEA is a company best known for its ready-to-assemble furniture, including beds, drawers, shelves, and more as of 2024. As well as furniture, IKEA sells home accessories and interior design products to customers. Also, IKEA is known for its food products sold in its restaurants. Currently, there are over 400 IKEA stores in the world.

If you want to know more information about IKEA, including where and when IKEA was founded, who owns IKEA, and what the name IKEA means, then just keep reading!

What Is IKEA Known For?

IKEA is one of the most popular furniture stores globally and sells various products in its stores.

Further, the furniture designs at IKEA are often modern but maintain popular furniture pieces loved by customers, such as its BILLY bookcase.

Also, IKEA is perhaps best known for selling a range of furniture items, most of which can be easily assembled using the simple instructions.

On top of that, the prices at IKEA are often lower than other competitors, which is part of what makes its brand successful. 

As well as lower prices, IKEA has made efforts to create sustainable products, with many of its furniture pieces created using recycled materials.

Moreover, IKEA offers the option to recycle its items back to the store after customers have used them.

How Is IKEA Different?

IKEA is different from other retailers due to the business model to operate its stores.

Within stores, IKEA operates using a one-way system that allows customers to see all of the available merchandise, optimizing sales.

Additionally, IKEA stores all operate with the same layout, meaning it’s easier to find your way around as well as offering customers a repeatable shopping experience.

Due to the layout of the IKEA store, it has become more of an experience rather than simply visiting shops, making IKEA popular amongst its customers.

What Type Of Store Is IKEA?

IKEA is a global home furniture brand that sells furniture items including couches, beds, drawers, dressers, and more.

Moreover, the pieces sold at IKEA are made with design and comfort in mind and offer affordable prices.

What Does IKEA Sell?

IKEA sells a range of products, including:

  • Furniture
  • Beds
  • Mattresses
  • Textile products
  • Outdoor products
  • Lighting
  • Living room furniture
  • Bedroom furniture
  • Kitchen furniture
  • Dining furniture
  • Home office furniture

Also, one of the most popular IKEA products of all time includes the BILLY bookcase, which is reportedly sold every ten seconds.

Moreover, other popular IKEA products include the Poäng Chair, which sells over 1.5 million pieces per year, and the MALM bed frame.

What Does The IKEA Restaurant Sell?

What Does The IKEA Restaurant Sell?

The IKEA restaurant is a favorite among shoppers and can be found in various locations across IKEA stores.

With that, popular products sold at the IKEA restaurant include Swedish meatballs, plant-based meatballs, hot dogs, sweet treats, and beverages.

Also, pre-packaged food can be purchased from IKEA within its store, including biscuits, breakfast goods, bread, and more.

Who Owns IKEA?

IKEA is owned by INGKA Holding B.V, located in the Netherlands.

Further, INGKA Holding B.V owns the IKEA group, which manages the running of IKEA, including stores, customer care, and more.

Also, the current CEO of IKEA is Jesper Brodin, who’s been in the role since 2017, and part of the company since 1995.

When Was IKEA Founded?

IKEA was founded on July 28, 1943, in Älmut, Sweden.

Additionally, IKEA was founded by Ingvar Kamprad, who began selling furniture in 1948 and produced the first IKEA catalog in 1951.

Then, the first IKEA store was opened in 1958 and later became an international retailer when the first store in Norway opened in 1963.

What Does The Name IKEA Mean?

The name IKEA is an acronym that comprises the name of the founder, Ingvar Kamprad, the farm where he grew up, Elmtaryd, and the nearby village of Agunnaryd.

Together, these words form the basis of the name IKEA, which is why it is capitalized.

How Many IKEA Stores Are There?

Currently, over 400 (454) stores are operating in around 60 countries worldwide.

In the United States, there are currently 52 IKEA locations.

Further, the state with the most IKEA stores is California, with eight stores comprising 15% of America’s locations.

Then, the states with the second and third highest number of IKEA stores are Texas and Florida, with five locations each.

Right now, 29 states within America do not possess any IKEA stores.

To know more, you can also check our related posts on the IKEA business model, IKEA competitors, and IKEA statistics.

Conclusion

IKEA is a worldwide furniture company that specializes in ready-to-assemble furniture, designed with sustainability and modernity in mind.

Also, products available at IKEA can be purchased either in-store or online.

There are over 400 IKEA stores currently in operation, which all feature the same store layout and innovative one-way design system.

With that, this helps IKEA optimize its sales and allows its company to thrive.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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