IKEA Group Sustainability Analysis

Several other companies also specialize in furniture that is discounted e.g. Walmart, Home Depot, Galiform et cetera. However, the inevitable allure of ready-to-assemble furniture aids IKEA in its growth in developing countries like China, Japan and Singapore. Global recession has also intensified IKEA’s competition as it can cause more expensive priced companies to have to reduce their prices. Such recession, however, can also decrease competition as it render’s the consumers’ spending power to lessen and thus they will not prioritize furniture as a needed expenditure.

Nordstrom has continued to improve their dedication to the environment, steps such as: reducing carbon dioxide released into the air, using organic cottons and investing time and money into the discovery of more sustainable fabric clarification. Although many of these steps may seem like obvious choices so many large companies are still struggling to make the leap nordstrom has shown in these areas. The hunt for more sustainable fabrics is in hopes to lower the unlawfully logged forests and continue to encourage other brands, which they outsource from to be aware of how and where their fabric materials are made. The ethical decision to improve their own environmental practices and inspire other brands to do the same shows they care about the recent changes in society and are willing to form to these

The services and products offered by IKEA provide value to its customers in various ways. For one, the products and services are very affordable. The products and services are not priced highly and therefore, the average customer can enjoy them. At the same time, the products are of high quality. From IKEA’s slogan “low prices but not at any price”, it is clear that the company prices its products lowly but that does not mean that the quality is compromised. IKEA satisfying its customer’s needs through providing them value for their money as they provide quality products that will last for a long time, and at affordable costs. The fact that the company has set the minimum acceptable standards for its wood, implies that it is also keen on quality and on the environmental impact of its action of making furniture ( Edvardsson, Enquist & Hay, 2006).

IKEA sustainability responsibility strategy consist of performance indicators and targets to be achieved by 2020. These responsibilities and values consist of innovation, enthusiasm and company togetherness which aims to meet the future consumer demands with increasing prices of raw materials whilst maintaining the IKEA affordable prices

IKEA is one of the largest multinational companies in the world dealing with several products. The company sells and designs furniture appliances and home accessories at an affordable price. Ikea has over three hundred stores worldwide enjoying the good name it has created for itself. While they are one of the most profitable furniture companies in the world there are significant challenges and threats that have been overcome and are still needed to be tackled.

IKEA in business to generate profit is expanding rapidly in both developing and emerging markets. In an attempt to generate more and more profit it markets, inexpensive products that may originate from sustainable resources but at the same time it encourages excessive consumption, it is often located in remote areas with very large footprint. Products with limited life cycle need replacement more frequently and consumers more often than not end up purchasing far more than they needed when they come to IKEA. It is designed to be consumer friendly, stylish rooms set up for one to visualize placement of furniture at home and if needed available staff to help you in planning and placement of your furniture. Most recently in February 2013, case of embarrassment came from its food service where it was found the “Swedish Meatballs” it served contained horsemeat.

We believe what is good for society is good for IKEA. We are passionate about creating a successful business where we act in a responsible way through small and large actions. It is a way of being. This is why sustainability is a cornerstone in the IKEA strategic direction – it is highly prioritized and serves as a driver of further innovation and development. Economizing with resource, finding new ways of doing things and developing our knowledge and expertise are important parts of our business idea and heritage. A low price company must be a low cost company, and this includes being careful with earth’s limited resources. IKEA has unique capabilities and tremendous enthusiasm to make a positive contribution across the world – from the forests of Siberia to the cotton fields of India and all the way into people’s homes in New York, Lisbon and Shanghai. Our customers rightly expect us to not only to make our products in a responsible way, but also to help them live more sustainable

Introduction IKEA is a multinational group of companies that designs and sells ready-to-assemble (such as beds, chairs, and desks), appliances and home accessories. as of

IKEAs brand image is built on their long term strategic focus to produce products from sustainable materials in an aim to care for the environment and earth’s natural resources. This aligns with IKEAs vales to promote social, environmental and economic development. IKEAs concept of customers shopping for mass produced, standardised products in a ‘self-service’ environment allows for cost efficiency

1. Design- IKEA designers work in exactly the opposite way from their competitors. They design their products in such a way so that they can keep the prices low. IKEA designers design every product starting with a functional need and then decide on price. With the help of their vast knowledge in innovation and low-cost manufacturing processes through a large network of suppliers, they design the final product which can fulfill consumer’s functional needs. Large volumes are purchased to push prices down even further by distributing the R&D cost. Most IKEA products are designed in such a way so that they can transport in flat packs and assembled at the customer's

IKEA is an international home products retailer that sells home products and accessories in their retail stores around the world. This company, which pioneered flat-pack design furniture at affordable prices, is now the world's largest furniture retailer. It was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden, since then, the IKEA group has grown into a global brand with 127,000 workers in 41 countries. IKEA holds a mission to create a better everyday life at home for the many people and remains respectful towards the environment, resource and people by supporting various social causes. The following analysis would be based on the Singapore context.

In this business report on the global retail business IKEA, it will cover the nature of business, influences on operations, operation processes, operation strategies and how the business can sustain competitive advantage. IKEA was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad in Älmhult, Sweden. The business established after and with the money his father awarded him for succeeding in his studies, Kamprad sustained a cash inflow by selling pens, wallets, watches, picture frames, table runners, jewellery and nylon stockings at reduced prices to customers. Although, later on in 1958, IKEA was introduced as a leader of Swedish Furniture Company as they started to produce local furniture by the Swedish local manufacturers, which gained positive attention from their customers. Eventually, developing flat packs of furniture for storage and self assembly, making their signature style of IKEA and turning the small business into a global sensation.

IKEA is the largest furniture chain in the world, and in 2011 the Swedish company operated over 270 stores in 25 countries. In 2011 IKEA sales soared to over $35 billion, or over 20% of the global furniture market. Most of its stuffs believed IKEA will massive growth throughout the world in the coming decade because IKEA could provide what customer wanted: good design, and good made contemporary furniture with an affordable price. In one word, IKEA’s global approach focuses on simplicity, attention to detail, cost consciousness, and responsiveness in every aspect of its operations and behavior. (Jones, 2013)

In PEST analysis, we will look into what will be affect by the business environment. It includes political environment, economical environment, social environment and technological environment.

The points of the Porter's Diamond are described as four broad attributes. And these attributes promote or impede the creation of competitive advantage.