The Ownership Advantage Of IKEA

* IKEA’s low cost structure has been the very core of its success. It’s low-cost and high-quality strategy fits with the current state of the economy. Offering convenience factors within IKEA’s stores would fit well with IKEA’s low cost structure. It maintains its low-cost business model by creating a different furniture shopping experience. IKEA supplies customers with all possible materials needed to complete their shopping when they enter the store (that are, measuring

IKEA stores have been present in five big areas in the world which are North America, South America, Europe, Russia, Asia and Australia as of 31 December, 2014. IKEA group have stores located in 42 countries which include Australia, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Denmark, France, Germany and etc. IKEA group sell their products in to these 42 countries with their domestic currencies such as Australian Dollar (AUD), Yuan (RMB), Taiwan New Dollar (TWD), Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), Singapore Dollar (SGD), Danish Krone (DKK), Euro (EUR) and etc. The reason of using domestic currency is because this is easier for the customers to buy IKEA products in their country.

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

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.

Nowadays, business around the world broadening and highly competitive. In order to succeed in the current global market, individual organization is required to enhance their competitive advantages to gain market shares and profitability in the international business field. The ultimate competitive advantage to differentiate the organization from its competitors. One good way is to be identified by one’s organization culture.

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)

IKEA is recognized as one of the reputed brands of Sweden, operating in the segment of ready-to-assembled furniture’s, fittings, appliances, and many others designed accessories and equipments. Although it entered in this segment in the year 1943 in Sweden but very quickly it expanded its operations in the markets of China as well. It is mainly due to its modern architectural stylish designs and eco-friendly nature. This helped Ikea to improve its brand image and profitability by almost 50 percent as compared to previous years. This proved extremely effective for Ikea to enhance its customer bases and reliability in the market among many other rival players (Inter IKEA

IKEA is a company that is well known globally for its low prices and innovatively designed furniture. The company’s owner Ingvar Kamprad formed IKEA in 1943. (Daft, 2013, p. 287) Originally created in Sweden the company is now globally located worldwide. Amidst its formation it has succeeded in strategically in the success of its internal and external environment, organizational structure, innovation, technology, and organizational culture. As with any company there is always room for improvement. My paper will give detailed information pertaining to IKEA and also suggest recommendations for improvement.

Ikea is a renowned global furniture retail shop that was established by Kampard Ingvar in 1943(Bartlett, 2006). The business began as a grocery and stationery of mail order and later turned into furniture as its main business. Currently, it has over 292 branches in 34 countries globally. Ikea has been operating on the motto “better life for everyone”. Ikea focuses basically on good quality of household furniture and low prices of goods. Ikea strives to build a good social benefits structure and good customer care.

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

This essay will be focused on analysing one brand known as “IKEA” in the UK. IKEA is a multinational organisation that provides a range of home furnishing products that are ready to-assemble that include home applications and fittings. (IKEA, 1999-2000)

The author believes that we as customers become part of Ikea because we have to participate in the process. Ikea thinks it is good for us if we learn to build our furniture by collecting them from the warehouse, haul it onto the car roof or boot and take it home, all by ourselves. This participation means we belong more to the Ikea brand than any other brands in our lives. We indirectly became part of Ikea’s brand and business model and we are one of the reasons its prices are kept low and lower. In a way, this is one of the key ideas behind Ikea and this is why it is different from other furniture retailers. This is an innovation that Ikea owns and this is what differentiates it from the competition.

IKEA’s strategy before the mishaps in America could be characterized as going against the norm charting their own path to success using low priced manufactures to secure lower selling prices aimed to target those who were of older age and of middle class standing. Their new strategy was to target those of a younger demographic, young married couples, college students, and 20-30 something singles. By reemphasizing design, promoting through hip quirky advertisements, and encouraging consumers to do away with their old furniture, IKEA revenues doubled in a four-year period. IKEA today has adapted somewhat of a local customization strategy where their store layouts will resemble that of many local household layouts as proven by their success in China where they failed to expand beforehand. They also keep their prices extremely low in some areas as China by sourcing a large percentage of products in the area of operation.

In 1995, IKEA met a problem that its main supplier, Indian rugs, used the child labor to produce products, although they had signed an attachment of the contract to ban employing child labor. In addition, a German documentary maker was about to broadcast the problem of child labor on German television and also invited an employee from IKEA to have a live discussion in the TV program. Marianne Barner, the leader of IKEA, must find a great solution to this serious issue to both save her business and the corporation’s brand image. In this issue, IKEA was not the one who produced products, so they might not realize the use of child labor in the process of production. In addition, child labor

Swedish company IKEA is a mass market producer of cheap and stylish home furnishings that appear to transcend national boundaries. The company was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprada small town handyman from southern Sweden, who devised the company name by combining his initials with the first initials of his farm (Elmtaryd) and the parish (Agunnaryd) where he was raised. Today IKEA’s business mission is clear. In the words of the company founder, “We shall offer a wide range of furnishing items of good design and function, at prices so low that the majority of people can afford to buy them.”