Taking a Look at IKEA

Created in 1943, at the age of 17years old by the Swedish Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA is one of the biggest companies in the world with a net income amount of 3.302 billion euros in 2013. Well known all over the world for its amazing concept of DIY furniture, IKEA is the market leader home finishing with 230 stores in 33 different countries.

The founder of IKEA, Ingvar Kamprad registered his firm 1943. In 1958 he opened his very first IKEA store in Älhult, Sweden. From that moment, IKEA have continuously expanded by invaded new countries and opening new stores. Today IKEA is one of the leading home furnishings brands in the world with more than 235 stores in more than 30 countries. From being a one man enterprise IKEA now have astonishing 110,000 co-workers and a turnover of over 20 billion Euros on a worldwide basis (IKEA website 2008).

Ikea was successful in entering the furniture retail market in Sweden because it capitalized on good timing and original ideas. At the time of Ikeas initial phases, furniture prices in Sweden rose 41% faster than other household goods between 1935 and 1946. Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of Ikea Saw this as a great opportunity to offer quality furniture at a much lower price than other retailers, that the majority of people can actually afford. Ikea was also able to overcome adversity through creativity in business processes. When initially traditional retailers fought against Ikea’s ideas and banned them from selling at the Stockholm Trade Fair, the took orders or got names of customers in order to sell to them after the event. On another occasion, they overcame trouble with the retail cartel by establishing manufacturing sources in Poland instead of Sweden. This actually resulted in lower costs for Ikea and therefore allowed them to sell products at even lower prices than before. They also differentiated themselves from other companies not only through price but also through store design and location. Instead of locating in downtown hubs, Ikea set up its stores in areas with a lot of land to provide ample parking space which went hand in hand with their concept of cash-and-carry retailing. Furthermore, within the stores established many basic practices, such as wide

Ikea, originating from Sweden was started out by Ingvar Kamprad by first selling daily used items and home accessories in the 1940s, over the years it has now evolved to being an established home furnishing company that “designs and retails its own ready-to-assemble furniture, appliances and home accessories”.

IKEA founded by 17 year old Ingvar Kamprad, in Sweden. The company's name is drawn from the initials of Ingvar Kamprad, Elmtaryd (the farm where he grew up), and Agunnaryd (his hometown in Småland, southern Sweden).

Ikea is a multinational group of companies operating on a global scale in the furniture industry, offering a wide range of ready to assemble (Do It Yourself) furniture, appliances, and accessories worldwide. The company is well known and recognized for its modern designs, functionality of their products, quality services, and their eco-friendliness. Within the competitive market, Ikea aims at being better than its competitors in the market, and offers the best standards of services to its customers, as well as a wider range of products for low prices.

IKEA was founded in 1943 by a 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in Smaland, south of Sweden. IKEA formed its name from the founder 's initials (I.K.) plus the first letters of Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and village where he grew up from a farmer to a businessman. Ingvar sold whatever he found could fill with a product at a reduced price under the brand name of IKEA

IKEA grows even more. Children's IKEA is introduced and the focus is on home furnishing solutions to meet the needs of families with children. The IKEA Group is formed and responsibility for people and the environment is seen as a prerequisite for doing good

IKEA began as a small company in Sweden selling small household items but in 1945 began selling furniture. IKEA has expanded to other European countries, Canada and Australia. Currently, IKEA is the market leader in the distribution of furniture and home decorative items. IKEA entered the Russian market in 1991 but did not open its first store until 2000 in Moscow.

Where we come from We have our roots in Småland, a traditionally poor region in the south of Sweden. Like the people raised here, IKEA grew up with a tradition of being economical with resources and working hard to reach our goals. And we’ve been making a lot out of very little for more than 60 years now. Growing up in 20th century Sweden has shaped both our products

Even though there have been many changes in the economy Ikea has been able to regulate the changes with their success in obtaining the lowest production prices. The company continues to provide high quality furniture that goes with their original concept of stylish furniture for a low price. Ikea offers all kinds of products that cater to most any lifestyle and budget. Ikea still mostly operates their business in the European market. Consequently, they are able to reach more customers in different countries based on the location of their production and distribution centers. Even with the many changes to the economy Ikea has managed to stay in business with their low pricing by developing different products that is in demand by

In what ways is Ingvar Kamprad a manager? In what ways is he a leader?

“Trends come and go, but combining a low price with good design and function never goes out of style” – This quotation tells us a lot about IKEA, a world-wide leading Home Furnishings brand, which was originated in Smaland, Sweden in 1943. Since then, IKEA has officially opened its stores in more than 30 countries, including Singapore.

IKEA is a multinational company that designs and sells ready to assemble furniture, home accessories and appliances. IKEA was founded by a 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden in 1943. The Company’s name is an acronym that consist the initials of Ingvar Kamprad, Elmtaryd (his farm) and Agunnaryd (his hometown). In January, 2008 IKEA was listed as the world’s largest furniture retailer. Based upon the march, 2016 stats IKEA owns and operates 384 stores in 48 countries.

Elen Lewis is an experienced writer, editor, author and ghost-writer of books, annual reports, websites, blogs, magazines, newsletters, Facebook pages, articles and tweets. She has been the editor of The Marketing Society for eight years and the editor of 26 for two years. She is also a writing trainer who helps organisations in writing more efficiently and effectively. Her clients include Unilever, Diageo, BP, Vodafone, The Marketing Society, 26, Start, DHL and many more