- 11/30/2024
These IKEA facts will have you craving a trip to the iconic blue and yellow store. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down the most interesting, odd, cool, or concerning facts about the world’s largest furniture retailer.
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00:00Using 1% of the world's commercial wood supply each year,
00:04estimates suggest this is equivalent to 70 million trees.
00:08Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down the most interesting,
00:12odd, cool, or concerning facts about the world's largest furniture retailer, Ikea.
00:17We, as a couple, are going to Ikea.
00:22Number 20, frugal founder.
00:24At 17, he formed Ikea, named after his own initials and the area where he was born.
00:29Ingvar Kamprad, the sometimes controversial brains behind Ikea, wasn't just a furniture mogul.
00:35He was the sultan of savings.
00:37Born in 1926 in Sweden,
00:39this penny-pinching trailblazer peddled around on a bicycle and bunked in budget hotels.
00:44Flying first class? Not for him.
00:47Kamprad preferred economy class, embracing frugality like a long-lost friend.
00:51Despite Ikea's global triumph, he remained the maestro of moderation,
00:56driving a down-to-earth car and settling in a farmhouse.
00:59Kamprad prided himself on being frugal.
01:01He drove an old car and encouraged staff to write on both sides of a sheet of paper to avoid waste.
01:07Even his furniture reflected his thriftiness, thanks to the ingenious flat-pack concept.
01:12Kamprad's personal cheapness was no secret.
01:15It was the blueprint for making Ikea synonymous with style on a shoestring.
01:19Now it's probably the best-known furniture store in the world,
01:22with more than 400 giant shops and annual sales of £30 billion.
01:2719. Strategic Shopping
01:29I wanted to come early just to check it out, be the first to arrive before everyone else.
01:34I just wanted an early glimpse.
01:36Turns out there are ideal days and times to conquer Ikea without battling hordes of fellow shoppers.
01:42Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the midweek sweet spots when the aisles are more serene than on other days.
01:47If you fancy a peaceful shopping experience,
01:50set your alarm early and hit the store right at opening time, especially on weekdays.
01:55Evenings during the work week are also prime hours to dodge cart traffic.
01:59Just a friendly tip, while navigating the labyrinthine showroom might be a breeze,
02:03resisting the temptation of those Swedish meatballs is a challenge no matter when you visit.
02:1418. Elusive Employees
02:17Is there no signal in here?
02:18Silence, prisoner. I mean, can I help you, valued customer?
02:22Ikea workers are the last word in stealth when it comes to retail.
02:26They're trained to play the waiting game.
02:28If you're on a quest for guidance, brace yourself for a face-off
02:31because they will not pounce on you like over-eager sales hawks.
02:35Instead, they patiently lurk, letting you take the lead.
02:38Whether you're hunting down that elusive shelf or pondering the perfect throw pillow,
02:42the initiative is yours to take.
02:44We are a little bit different in that we set out to allow the customer to serve themselves as much as possible.
02:51It's a strategic dance, a choreography of consumer engagement.
02:55So basically, consider it a shopping journey with you as the expedition leader.
02:59Or maybe they're just ignoring you. It can be hard to tell sometimes, right?
03:0417. App Appeal
03:06Ikea would like everyone to know about Place, our new augmented reality app.
03:11Ikea's got a tech trick up its flat-packed sleeve.
03:14The Ikea Place app, a cool tool in the augmented reality or AR domain.
03:20No more guessing if that billy bookshelf will fit in your cramped quarters.
03:24This app lets you virtually plop Ikea furniture into your living space via your phone's camera.
03:29It's like playing The Sims, but with scandy chic furniture.
03:32The app uses accurate-to-scale 3D models,
03:35so you can test-drive a new Ektorp sofa or a Malm dresser in your actual room without breaking a sweat.
03:41Or a wall.
03:42It's the ultimate digital furniture preview,
03:44saving you from any, oops, should've measured moments.
03:48Happy AR redecorating.
03:50We want to make it easier for people everywhere to imagine a better place.
03:5416. You've Been Saying It Wrong
03:57Time to debunk the pronunciation puzzle.
03:59Ikea is not an Ikea or Ikea affair.
04:03Drumroll, please.
04:04It's a simple and charming Ikea.
04:07Silence the critics.
04:09Ikea, the wonderful everyday.
04:12Imagine dropping that nugget into casual conversation.
04:16So when discussing your penchant for the Lack table or the Far Love sofa,
04:20let that Ikea roll off the tongue with finesse.
04:23Next time someone fumbles with an Ikea,
04:25kindly correct them since you're now the pronunciation virtuoso of flat-packed finesse.
04:30Granted, they might not be as impressed, but whatever.
04:33Show off your savvy. Ikea, the wonderful everyday.
04:3715. Origin Story
04:39He started the company in 1943 when he was just 17 years old.
04:43Dive deeper into the acronym wonder of Ikea.
04:46Here's the scoop.
04:47Like fellow Swedish icons ABBA,
04:49the Ikea name is indeed actually an arrangement of initials.
04:53In this case, one that reflects its founder's journey.
04:56I and K stand for the aforementioned Ingvar Kamprad.
04:59Now, E gets a little personal.
05:02It's the charming Entarid, the farm where Kamprad grew up.
05:06And the final A?
05:07That's Åg Unarid, the Swedish village that wraps it all up.
05:11So it's all a whimsical stroll through the alphabetized nostalgia of Ingvar's roots.
05:15He realized an idea could be developed to save money on transport, storage and sales space.
05:21The result, the pioneering of a concept of a budget-friendly line of furniture
05:26that was accessible to all.
05:2814. More Name Games
05:30Marcus works with an in-house team of just 12 designers
05:34who are under constant pressure to come up with new ideas
05:37that keep Ikea's offering fresh.
05:39Speaking of names, in the realm of Ikea, product naming is also a methodical affair.
05:44Hailing from Sweden, a team of namers follows specific rules for each category.
05:49Upholstered furniture adopts names from Swedish places or verbs,
05:53while bookshelves opt for occupational terms.
05:56The focus is on simplicity, international accessibility and easy pronunciation.
06:01Occasionally, a dash of whimsy or wordplay adds characters to the process
06:05because, hey, why not?
06:07This systematic approach ensures that every piece,
06:09from the Ektorp armchair to the Lack coffee table,
06:12carries a consistent yet distinct identity.
06:14You can never have enough umlauts, right?
06:16I don't mind the Cunin. It's an improvement on the Hrda.
06:2013. Local Tastes
06:22I'm one of the breakfast cooks and lunch cooks at Ikea.
06:26Ikea food provides a whole fun day package for the family.
06:30Ikea customizes its restaurants by country to cater to local preferences.
06:34In India, for instance, Ikea introduced vegetarian alternatives
06:38like vegetable biryani and samosas to accommodate cultural dietary choices.
06:42In Japan, the menu can include items like salmon and shrimp roe with a side of miso soup.
06:47Additionally, Ikea in the United States
06:49offers items such as macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes,
06:52reflecting regional tastes.
06:54The company adapts not only the menu but also the restaurant layout.
06:58For example, in China,
07:00Ikea restaurants may feature larger dining spaces to accommodate group dining,
07:04aligning with local social norms.
07:06Kids are getting hungry, pop into the restaurant,
07:09feed them, keep them happy,
07:11then mum and dad can continue on their way.
07:1312. Museum Magic
07:17We have Ingvar welcoming you.
07:19At the Ikea Museum in Ärnhödds, Sweden,
07:22furniture legacy takes center stage.
07:24Housed in the historic location of the first Ikea store,
07:28this museum chronicles the journey from flat-pack trailblazer
07:31to global design phenomenon.
07:33Dive into the life of Ikea's founder Ingvar Kamprad,
07:36yep, him again,
07:37and witness the brand's commitment to sustainability.
07:40Catalogs, prototypes, and a life-sized model of an early flat-pack home
07:44offer a glimpse into Ikea's vibrant history.
07:47It's not just a museum,
07:49it's a sassy Swedish saga where quirky designs and Alan Wrench wizardry unfold.
07:54These are all of the safety and quality checks
07:57that every item from Ikea goes through.
08:00That's mad!
08:0111. New and Improved
08:04Space 10 was founded in 2015,
08:06and its aim is to imagine just what the future may look like.
08:09Step into the Ikea Innovation Lab,
08:11where flat-pack dreams get a futuristic makeover.
08:14Tucked away in the Swedish wonderland,
08:17this lab isn't just about assembling furniture,
08:19it's a playground for avant-garde creativity.
08:22Imagine an Alan Wrench, but make it smart.
08:24That's the vibe.
08:25Here, the furnishings of tomorrow are brewing.
08:28How about some AI-infused bookshelves that recommend your next literary adventure?
08:33Or maybe some self-assembling sofas that have a knack for knowing your comfort preferences?
08:38Buckle up, because at the Innovation Lab,
08:40even your coffee table is getting an upgrade straight from the future.
08:44It's become very clear that there is no one future.
08:47There's many futures based on the many people and countries and cultures around the world.
08:5210. Let's Get Lost
08:54Ikea's store layout is a fixed-path design,
08:57which means there's a designated road that all customers must follow
09:01that guides you through the store in one direction.
09:03Ikea's twisting store layouts are more than just a shopping strategy,
09:07they're a psychological journey.
09:09The maze-like design, known as the Long Natural Path,
09:12is purposefully intricate to encourage exploration.
09:15The winding aisles, shortcuts, and room displays
09:18are orchestrated to keep customers engaged and wandering,
09:21allowing them to discover unexpected items and potentially make impulse purchases.
09:26This intentional layout has become a hallmark of the Ikea shopping experience,
09:30turning each visit into an adventure.
09:32It's not just about finding furniture,
09:35it's about getting lost in the curated world of affordable design.
09:38Well, okay, it is mostly about increasing sales.
09:41And Ikea is, to some, frustratingly winding.
09:45But really, it's laid out as an experience to get you to buy more.
09:499. Bad Neighbor
09:51Ikea is the latest to become involved in Europe's horse meat scandal.
09:54The Swedish company has pulled its popular meatballs off the shelves across Europe.
09:59In 2013, Ikea faced a significant controversy
10:03when traces of horse meat were discovered in some of their meatball products.
10:06The scandal, part of a broader European food labeling issue,
10:10led to a temporary withdrawal of the affected meatballs from Ikea stores across several countries.
10:15The incident prompted heightened scrutiny of food supply chains
10:18and raised questions about transparency and quality control in the food industry.
10:23Ikea responded swiftly by implementing stringent measures
10:26to ensure the integrity of their food products,
10:28including increased testing and traceability.
10:31DNA technology has changed the game on this one.
10:35It's now possible to go in and do species-specific testing.
10:39This unexpected chapter in Ikea's history underscored the complexities of global supply chains
10:44and the challenges companies face in maintaining the trust of their customers.
10:498. Ballers
10:51Hey, did someone mention meatballs?
10:52We needed something easy to serve, tasty, and affordable to the many.
10:58Controversy aside, Ikea's iconic meatballs have transcended their role as a mere menu item.
11:03They've become a global culinary phenomenon.
11:06With an estimated total of billions sold annually,
11:09these savory spheres have not only found their place on Ikea's cafeteria menus worldwide,
11:15but have also achieved recognition as a cultural symbol.
11:18The recipe's simplicity, melding a blend of meats with signature spices,
11:22has turned Ikea's meatballs into a beloved comfort food.
11:25The meatball's success extends beyond being a tasty treat during a shopping excursion.
11:30It's become a part of Ikea's identity,
11:32with fans recreating the recipe at home.
11:35For me, the meatball is so much the Ikea culture.
11:38It's convenient, it's Swedish, and pretty much for everybody.
11:427. Buying In
11:44The Ikea Effect is a claimed psychological phenomenon
11:47wherein individuals place a higher value on products they have actively participated in creating or assembling.
11:53It was this idea that we want to feel like we're just participating enough
11:57to not feel guilty about taking a shortcut.
12:00Coined by researchers, this effect suggests that the effort put into building an item,
12:04especially Ikea furniture known for its self-assembly nature,
12:07enhances the perceived value of the finished product.
12:10Studies have shown that people tend to particularly appreciate their creations,
12:15attributing a sense of accomplishment to the process.
12:17This psychological quirk not only fuels customer satisfaction,
12:21but also plays a role in Ikea's business model,
12:23where flat-pack furniture encourages customers to become co-creators in the assembly process.
12:28It also saves Ikea lots of money.
12:31That obsession with low prices is a large part of why Ikea is the world's largest furniture retailer.
12:386. Bigger Than The Bible
12:40The annual Ikea catalog holds a staggering claim to fame.
12:44It has been printed in higher quantities than the Bible,
12:47making it one of the most widely distributed publications globally.
12:51Last year, 203 million copies were produced in 35 languages,
12:57making it the largest publication in the world,
13:00with more copies printed than either the Bible or the Quran.
13:03With billions of copies circulated,
13:06the catalog became a cultural phenomenon, transcending borders and languages.
13:11Its former ubiquity speaks to Ikea's global reach and its seemingly universal appeal.
13:16The catalog evolved over the years,
13:18but its continued popularity reaffirmed the enduring role of print media,
13:23until it was discontinued in 2021.
13:26The Ikea catalog was more than just a marketing tool.
13:29It was a symbol of accessible design aspirations for countless households.
13:33It's very much imitating life in a way.
13:37It also reflects the values of diversity, of gender, people with different ethnicities.
13:44So it actually has a political message as well.
13:465. Forced Labor
13:48Ikea long faced allegations of having historically used forced labor.
13:52Eventually, the company commissioned Ernst & Young to conduct an independent report.
13:57The investigation confirmed that political and criminal prisoners
14:01were indeed involved in the production of Ikea goods through its suppliers in East Germany.
14:05Inmates here built furniture, providing labor for a local furniture manufacturer,
14:11which in turn supplied Ikea.
14:13This revelation sparked concerns about ethical labor practices
14:17within the company's global supply chain.
14:19Ikea's eventual acknowledgement of these historical issues
14:22highlights the importance of pressuring for corporate transparency and accountability.
14:26But Ikea again faced similar accusations in 2022
14:30about using forced prison labor in Belarus.
14:32Customers were oblivious to who was building their home furnishings.
14:36Neither side of the deal liked to talk about it.
14:394. Good Wood
14:41Ikea's commitment to being eco-conscious extends to its use of wood,
14:45making it one of the world's largest consumers of sustainable wood.
14:49The company has set ambitious goals to ensure that all wood-based products in their range
14:53come from more ethical sources by implementing responsible forestry practices.
14:58Our wood is FSC certified or recycled.
15:02It's embedded in our DNA to use the resources carefully and efficiently.
15:07This involves adhering to certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC,
15:13which ensures that wood is sourced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
15:17Ikea actively works towards minimizing its environmental impact,
15:21addressing issues like deforestation and promoting the responsible management of forest resources.
15:26And when you're a global retail behemoth, that can only be a good thing.
15:31With our ambition to become 100% circular business by 2030
15:35using only renewable and recycled materials, we are exploring and innovating.
15:423. Lacks Tax
15:44Ikea's corporate structure has been criticized for being complex
15:47and sometimes accused of gaming the system.
15:50I feel like I'm having a panic attack.
15:51You want to talk about stress? You want to talk about stress?
15:53Okay, I've stumbled onto a major company conspiracy, Mac.
15:56How about that for stress? What the hell are you talking about?
15:59The company's structure involves a series of holding companies, foundations, and entities
16:03contributing to discussions about tax planning and financial arrangements.
16:07Critics argue that such structures might enable companies to minimize tax liabilities
16:12and achieve favorable financial outcomes.
16:14None of them want to pay taxes again. Ever.
16:20Ikea has asserted that its corporate structure is designed to ensure long-term stability
16:24and support its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
16:28But discussions about transparency and fair taxation within multinational corporations like Ikea
16:33are important to have to potentially create changes.
16:372. Monkey Business
16:39You go to Ikea expecting cheap furniture, not expensively dressed monkeys.
16:45This is so bizarre. Why is there a monkey at Ikea?
16:48The Ikea monkey captured the world's attention in 2012
16:52when a young macaque named Darwin was found wandering an Ikea store in Toronto, Canada,
16:56dressed in a shearling coat.
16:58The peculiar incident unfolded as Darwin's owner left him in a car while shopping,
17:02and the adventurous primate managed to escape and explore the furniture aisles.
17:06The Ikea monkey instantly became an internet sensation,
17:10with memes and social media posts flooding the web.
17:13The incident sparked debates about exotic pet ownership
17:16and raised questions about animal welfare.
17:18Despite the comical nature of the event,
17:20it shed light on the complexity surrounding the keeping of unconventional pets
17:24and prompted discussions on responsible animal care.
17:27Years after making headlines for wearing that stylish coat at a Toronto Ikea,
17:32we have now an update on Darwin the monkey who's doing better than ever.
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17:531. Wheel Deal
17:55The slide stands out.
17:57It looks just unique enough and has just enough bells and whistles.
18:00I mean, literally, there's a bell integrated into the front brake lever.
18:04The bike won multiple design awards, including artistic style.
18:07Ikea ventured beyond the realm of home furnishings with the innovative Slotta bicycle.
18:12This flat-packed two-wheeler represented Ikea's commitment to sustainable and practical design,
18:17until they discontinued it due to design flaws that prompted recalls.
18:21With a sleek aluminum frame, a rust-free belt drive, and an integrated rack system,
18:26the Slotta was both stylish and functional.
18:29Designed for urban commuters, it emphasized ease of use and maintenance.
18:33Beyond just a mode of transportation, the Slotta epitomized Ikea's foray into diverse lifestyle solutions,
18:39proving that their design principles extended from the living room to the city streets.
18:44So bring that bike back with a better design.
18:46What do you think about Ikea? Let us know in the comments.
18:49How's that coolant coming along? Ikea doesn't assemble itself, you know.
18:53Did you enjoy this video?
18:55Check out these other clips from WatchMojo,
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