IKEA: number of stores in 2023, by region
An international success
IKEA is an internationally known home furnishing retailer. It has grown rapidly since it was founded in 1943 and is today the world's largest furniture retailer, recognized for its Scandinavian style. The majority of IKEA's furniture is flat-pack, ready to be assembled by the consumer. This allows a reduction in costs and packaging.One of the key competitive advantages IKEA has is its extensive knowledge about the customers. The company understands the purchasing factors that influence customers to buy and implements the best practices to induce that decision. Additionally, low prices are the cornerstone of the IKEA business idea and the company tries to do things as efficiently and cost-effective as possible. To drive costs down all the time, the company must find new and innovative ways to do that and to incorporate them in its business model. The business’ innovations include new materials that contribute a sustainable environment and are less costly or using the newest ways of packaging, handling, and transporting materials.